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OUR  MABEL, 


-OR 


Crests  upon  the  Waves  of  Thought. 


BY  MRS.  E.  R.  MASON. 


'My  son,  if  thou  will  receive  my  words,  and  hide  my  commandments  with 

thee: 
'So  that  thou  incline  thine  ear  unto  wisdom,  and  apply  thine  heart  to 

understanding: 
;If  thou  seekest  her  as  silver,  and  searchest  for  her  as  for  hid  treasures: 
;Then  shalt  thou  understand    righteousness,    and  judgment,  and  equity, 

yea  every  good  path.11 


CHICAGO: 

CUSHING,  THOMAS  &  CO.,  PRINTERS  AND  PUBLISHERS, 

1884. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1884,  by 

MRS.  E.  R.  MASON, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington, 


S1«4 


TO  Rev.  TRUMAN  M.  POST, 

The  beloved  Pastor  of  my  youth,  who  tenderly  placed 
his  hand  upon  my  young  head,  and  said: 

"  Remember  my  daughter  to  do  good  as  well  as  to 
be  good." 

TO  ALL  PARENTS, 

Whose  feet  have  trodden  the  rugged  ways  of  sorrow, 
fear,  anxiety,  hope  and  love. 

TO  THE  DEAR  YOUTH, 

Whose  feet  are  approaching  the  threshold  of  manhood 
and  womanhood,  who  are  eagerly  waiting  for  coming 
years;  whose  hearts,  pulsating  with  prescient  hopes  and 
ambitions,  yet  held  within  the  pregnant  future,  and  who 
have  not  tasted  life's  "  bitter  sweets." 

TO  ALL  THESE, 

Dwell  where  they  may,  is  this  humble  effort  most  affec- 
tionately dedicated. 


ivi20<li74 


CONTENTS. 


CONTENTS 


TITLE  PAGE. 
DEDICATION. 

CHAPTER  I. : 

Introductory — Childhood  of  "Our  Mabel,"  7 

CHAPTER  II. : 

A  Birthday  Party — Pride,  Envy  and  Happiness,        16 
CHAPTER  III.: 

The  Osgood  Family  —  Jennie  and  May,       -       -       24 
CHAPTER  IV. : 

Mabel's  Birthday  Party  —  Mirth  and  Joyful 
Innocence  —  Odd  Tom  Joiner,        ....       gi 
CHAPTER  V. : 

Education  of  Young  Ladies  —  Life's  Incidents 

and  Reflections, 41 

CHAPTER  VI. : 

Odd  Tom  Joiner's  Motto, 48 

CHAPTER  VII.: 

"Our  Mabel"  with  Jennie  and  May  Osgood 

at  the  Academy, 50 

CHAPTER  VIII. : 

School  Experiences  —  Tests  of  Character,       -       55 
CHAPTER  IX. : 

"Odd  Tom  Joiner's"  Progress,        ...       -        61 
CHAPTER  X. : 

A  Wedding  —  Separation  and  Re-Union,     -       -       65 
CHAPTER  XI. : 

Uncle  Tremaine's  Views  of  Marriage,        -      -       71 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XII. : 

Ten  Years  Later, 83 

CHAPTER  XIII. : 

"Odd  Tom  Joiner"  Reappears,        ....       92 

CHAPTER  XIV.; 

Holiday  Preparations  in  Homer — Mabel's  and 
Tom's  Development, 99 

CHAPTER  XV.: 

Christmas  Services  at  Homer — Union  of  Hearts,      105 
CHAPTER  XVI.: 

Developed  and  Requited  Love,       ...       -      114 
CHAPTER  XVII. : 

Home  and  Love's  Fireside, 119 

CHAPTER  XVIII. : 

The   Skeleton  in  Jennie's  Closet  is  seen  by 

Harry, 127 

CHAPTER  XIX.: 

Jennie's  Second  Visit  to  Mabel  —  Uncle  Tre- 
maine, 135 

CHAPTER  XX.: 

Jennie's   and    Harry's    Experiences  in  Life's 

Book, -      -  142 

CHAPTER  XXI. : 

Re-Union  of   the   Osgood   Family  — Mabel  at 
Homer  Again  —  Death  of  Uncle  Tremaine,         149 
CHAPTER  XXII. : 

Funeral  Ceremonies  —  Propitious  Omen,  -      163 

CHAPTER  XXIII. : 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  Uncle  Tre- 
maine,  167 

CHAPTER  XXIV. : 

The  Sequel  of  a  Good  Man's  Earth  Life,        -      174 
CHAPTER  XXV. : 

Farewell  to  Our  Friends,     -----       -      188 


CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTORY CHILDHOOD    OF    OUR  MABEL. 

The  universal  book  of  life;  its  pages  turn  each  day 
and  hour.  Leaf  by  leaf  is  slowly  opening,  for  the 
ages  to  discover  the  woven  stories  from  the  past's  deep 
urns,  with  glimpses  here  and  there  of  the  futures 
onward  tending. 

The  god  of  day  points  his  finger  to  the  stories  told, 
and  lessons  learned,  or  all  unheeded  in  the  daily  leaf 
he  turns,  and  all  the  lesser  gods  of  day  or  night  their 
pages  too  must  turn,  and  truthfully  portray  their 
passage  through  the  flight  of  years. 

Earth's  volume  is  of  the  series  too,  that  forms  the 
universal  book,  her  stories,  her  histories  of  conquests 
and  defeats,  her  throbbings,  her  sympathies  and  tears, 
her  travails  of  birth  and  bitterness  of  death,  are  the 
epitomized  stories  or  histories  of  the  larger  book,  an 
abridgment,  forsooth,  whose  perusal  will  take  an 
eternity  for  full  comprehension. 

But  the  books  multiply,  until  there  is  no  end  of 
books, of  abridgments,  all  telling  the  same  story,  or 
uttering  the  same  truths,  but  still  new  because 
of  varied  utterance,  because  that  life  is  a  prism, 
and  wherever  you  show  it,  the  rays  of  the  rainbow 
are  sure  to  enfold  it. 


8  OUR   MABEL. 

When  the  sun  opens  his  volume  at  the  peeping  of 
morn,  millions  of  life-books  are  then  being  born, 
their  alphabet  page  beginning  to  turn,  all  uncon- 
scious the  volume  the  future  shall  earn. 

Life-books  are  closing  at  the  same  hour  of  time, 
preparing  their  sequels  for  the  future  still,  to  en- 
twine. 

Myriads  of  life-books,  are  unwritten,  unspoken, 
save  only  by  sound  of  the  quick  telegraph  tokens, 
with,  which  life  everywhere  abounds. 

They  only  these  volumes  may  read,  wThose  ears 
have  been  quickened,  whose  hearts  breed  a  sympathy, 
whose  love  of  life,  can  recognize  its  kindred. 

Nature's  library  is  open  and  free  to  all,  she  invites 
to  a  study  of  her  books,  and  gives  choice  to  the 
demanding  soul,  of  the  course  and  direction  which  its 
thought  shall  take.  Never  like  parents  who  with  a 
dignihed  ignorance,  puts  aside  the  querulous  child 
(made  so  by  inattention),  asking  why,  why?  does 
she  command  an  acceptance  of  her  teachings,  without 
the  wThys  and  wherefores,  but  invites  to  all  question- 
ings, standing  ready  for  test.  Some  of  her  children, 
by  the  inheritance  she  has  given,  can  take  not  a  step 
onward  in  life  without  understanding  the  lawr  that 
controls  it,  while  some  dig  deep  for  analogies,  and 
others  must  be  mathematically  controlled. 

Mother  nature  delights  in  them  all,  and  in  leading 
them  each  through  the  paths  their  nature  compels. 
She  hath  dear  children  many,  who  like  the  thought- 
less school-girl,  careless  and  merry,  seeks  not  for  this 


OUR    MABEL.  9 

path  or  that  in  the  onward  of  life,  but  flits  like  the 
humming  bird  from  flower  unto  flower,  heeding  nor 
caring  for  the  law  that  produced  them,  or  that  which 
gives  power  to  enjoy. 

These  are  the  glimpses  of  some  of  life's  books,  gay, 
dry  and  sober,  which  shall  we  take  then,  to  seek  for 
the  moral  its  pages  contain? 

Take  that  which  seemeth  most  pregnant 
With  emotions  of  hope,  love  and  fear, 

And  of  earth's  passions  most  regnant, 
Wielding  the  sceptre  over  our  sphere — 

Fing'ring  the  lyres  earth  life  has  wrought, 
Tuned  to  the  touch  of  sympathies  thrill, 

Sobbings  and  joys,  and  great  fears,  taught 
Of  the  mission  all  souls  must  fulfil. 

Thousands  have  read  the  same  story  from  the  book 
out  of  which  I  glean,  but  by  virtue  of  the  mind's  con- 
stitution, probably  no  two  have  understood  it  alike, 
therefore,  though  in  danger  of  repetition,  there  is 
none  in  holding  up  old  truths  for  every  shading  of 
varied  thought.  So,  when  I  introduce  to  you,  "Our 
Mabel  Lee,"  you  may  recognize  in  her  an  old 
acquaintance,  so  be  it,  but  perhaps  it  will  not  be  an 
unprofitable  renewal  of  the  same. 

Not  apt  at  sketching  of  faces,  I  can  only  say,  that 
intensity  of  thought  has  produced  a  dejDth  of  meaning 
in  her  eyes,  which  cool  and  glow  as  the  soul  is  stirred. 
An  affectionate  nature  has  developed  a  peculiar  sweet- 
ness of  the  mouth,  while  yet,  decision  or  firmness  is 
well  enough  marked;   forehead  neither  very  high  or 


10  OUR    MABEL. 

low,  but  finely  proportioned,  tall  and  graceful,  she 
moves  with  quiet  self-possession,  born  of  the  philoso- 
phy of  her  nature,  laugh  who  may  at  this  touch  of  the 
pen,  it  is  a  firm  conviction. 

These  are  fine  attributes  for  a  young  life,  but  not 
so  sanctifying  as  to  prevent  the  ardency  and  gushing 
life  of  youth,  yet  bringing  this  dower  to  the  possessor, 
a  capacity  for  keen  enjoyment  or  suffering. 

Mabel  was  born  of  the  fresh  love  of  hearts  as 
nearly  mated  as  youthful  instincts  will  allow,  to  what 
they  might  have  developed,  had  they  not  been 
stricken  by  one  of  death's  messengers  of  ejjidemic, 
none  can  know. 

Thus  in  her  early  years  a  loved  uncle  folded  her  in 
his  arms,  and  claimed  her  for  his  own.  Unmarried 
and  of  moderate  means,  he  began  to  speculate  as  to 
how  he  could  best  care  for  his  niece,  and  cultivate 
what  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  he  should  discover 
from  time  to  time. 

He  saw  in  Mabel  an  antidote  for  the  hopeless 
sorrow  of  his  own  life.  Years  since,  he  had  laid 
away  in  her  bridal  robe,  a  young  and  beautiful  being, 
at  the  very  moment  when  she  was  to  have  become  his 
wife.  His  intensest  of  natures,  buried  there  too  all 
anticipated  joys  of  earth,  but  loyal  and  true,  accepted 
that  rite  as  the  marriage  of  his  soul  to  an  angel's  in 
heaven.  And  thus  has  he  dreamed  by  day  and  by 
night,  that  a  wife  walked  and  reposed  by  his  side;  he 
calls  it  no  dreaming,  but  would  willingly  swear  on 
record  most  holy,  that  this  angelic   wife,  sits   often 


OUR   MABEL.  11 

anear  him,  clasping  his  hands,  or  his  brow  gently 
chafing,  and  more,  that  when  pillowed  at  night,  a  soft 
breath  on  his  cheek,  and  an  impress  as  sure  as  of 
mortal,  with  a  whispered  "Oh  darling,  good  night," 
attests  to  the  fact,  his  angel  is  with  him. 

Why  "  Oar  Mabel "  should  always  be  applied  to 
the  child  of  his  adoption,  the  stranger  knew  not.  On 
his  course  he  decided  at  length,  on  the  principle,  that 
souls  are  precious,  and  mind  indestructible,  that  time 
is  fleeting,  and  gold  not  wingless,  and  that  as  he 
could  afford  a  moderate  home  with  full  comfort  for 
the  child,  and  attractive  to  his  angel  wife,  he  would 
cease  further  efforts  to  accumulate  wealth. 

Thus  would  he  give  his  time  and  means  to  watch- 
ing the  growth  of  this  bud  to  the  full  blossom.  As 
he  begins  to  realize  the  value  of  his  life  work,  let  us 
take  a  backward  glance  at  the  method  he  adopted. 
To  gain  the  child's  perfect  confidence,  as  well  as  her 
love,  he  felt  he  must  become  her  companion  in  all 
that  interested  and  employed  her,  so  not  only  did  he 
walk,  plant  and  trim  the  little  garden,  read  and  study 
with  her,  but  he  was  her  earlier  companion  in  the 
miniature  housekeepings,  and  in  the  training  of  the 
whole  family  of  dolls.  And  there  was  ne\Ter  a  more 
beautiful  picture,  than  the  two  with  heads  bent 
together  over  the  baby  house,  or  block  building,  one 
full  of  the  ideas  and  questionings  that  innocence  will 
ever  ask  and  express,  the  other  carefully  noting  the 
budding  of  thought. 

The  village  of  Homer  though  not  the  smallest,  was 


12  OUR  MABEL. 

none  of  the  largest  in  number  of  inhabitants,  yet 
perhaps  in  point  of  extent,  as  large  as  any,  from 
the  fact  that  some  of  its  earlier  settlers,  loved  na- 
ture in  her  rural  garb  so  well,  that  the  trees  and 
abundance  of  flowers  found  place  twixt  cottage 
homes. 

Its  nucleus  consisted  of  the  usual  tavern,  black- 
smith's shop  and  various  stores.  Whatever  of  life  or 
activity  it  possessed  was  due  to  a  branch  railroad 
passing  within  its  limits. 

Strangers  noticing  the  regularity  and  shadiness  of 
the  streets,  the  gardens  alloted  to  every  house,  at  once 
would  recognize  a  master  spirit  of  philanthrophic 
mold.  Should  the  villagers  be  questioned  in  regard 
thereto,  the  oldest  of  them  would  quickly  point 
to  Mr.  Tremaine's  cottage,  and  say,  "  there  dwells  the 
"  man  sir,  who  laid  out  this  town  and  had  a  hand  in 
"  building  most  of  its  cottages.  Many  a  load  has 
"he  lightened  for  our  people  sir,  and  many  a  one  has 
"he  helped  to  a  home,  who  else  would  never  have  had 
"  one,  and  we  know  that  it  has  been  money  out  of 
"his  pocket,  instead  of  in,  that  to-day  he  is  not  the 
"rich  man  he  might  have  been,  unless  the  love  of  our 
"people  balances  the  scales." 

"  Not  heard  his  story  sir?  well  it  is  little  any  of  us 
"  know,  but  it  is  said  by  them  as  do  pretend  to  know, 
"  that  he  had  a  great  sorrow  when  a  young  man,  that 
"would  have  killed  him,  only  that  he  believes  that  an 
"angel  comes  to  him  sometimes  and  tells  him  not  to 
"  mourn,  but  to  grow  strong  and  good,  by  doing  all 


OUR   MABEL.  33 

"he  can  for  other's  lives;  that  that  is  his  mission,  and 
"  some  day  he  shall  he  rewarded  by  going  to  live  in 
"heaven  with  the  young  lady  (as  people  say  it  was) 
"that  he  lost." 

"People  said  he  was  crazy  in  that  (although  he 
"always  seemed  to  be  in  his  right  mind  about  other 
"  things),  and  that  he  would  get  over  it  some  day,  but 
" he  don't  get  over  it,  and  "Our  Mabel,"  that's  his 
"adopted  daughter  talks  just  the  same,  and  to  tell  you 
"  the  truth  though  I  don't  understand  it,  I've  come  to 
"think  there  is'nt  much  craziness  about  it  after  all." 

Thus  much  of  interest  clustered  around  the  good 
man's  dwelling,  and  followed  all  his  actions.  He, 
c<  >nscious  always  of  the  high  mark  that  destiny  had 
pointed  out  for  him,  moved  on  in  his  course,  heedless 
of  tbd  world's  approval,  though  not  despising  it,  so 
that  he  was  able  to  live  true  to  the  soul  within  him. 

We  will  not  attempt  to  describe  him  further,  but 
let  that  portion  of  his  life-book,  at  which  we  shall 
glance,  tell  its  own  story. 

Opening  then  to  the  page  where  "  Our  Mabel"  is 
just  crossing  the  stream  from  girlhood  to  womanhood, 
which  we  find  in  the  record  is  just  on  to  sixteen,  we 
will  read  from  her  life-book,  which  for  a  time  is 
written  and  noted  beneath  the  clear  uncle's  eye,  each 
brinmno:  food  the  other's  volume  to  swell. 

Mr.  Tremaine's  cottage  though  substantial  and 
plain,  was  yet  adorned  to  the  utmost  with  nature's 
choicest  vines  and  flowers.  Surrounded  by  fine  old 
trees,  the  grassy  floor  beneath,  studded  with  rustic 


14  OUR   MABEL. 

seats,  a  subtle  invitation  breathed  out  to  the  weary,  or 
to  strangers,  to  rest  and  be  shaded. 

Who  shall  say  that  the  thought  and  love  of  the 
master  was  not  caught  by  the  tree,  vine  and  flower, 
distilled  and  evaporated  through  perfume,  nodding 
and  shade.  "Within,  the  same  air  of  welcome  per- 
vaded the  house,  making  cheery  every  nook  and 
corner.  A  broad  piazza  extended  across  its  front, 
entering,  a  generous  hall  carpeted  and  hung  with 
pictures  greeted  the  eye,  producing  most  pleasurable 
sensations.  A  door  to  the  left  opened  into  a  cozy 
parlor,  and  back  of  this  opening  into  it  was  the  noted 
parlor  chamber  for  the  occasional  guest.  To  the 
right  of  the  hall,  you  enter  what  Mr.  Tremaine  called 
their  morning  room,  or  study,  the  cheeriest  and  most 
inviting  of  the  whole  house,  back  of  which,  and  cor- 
responding to  the  parlor  chamber,  was  Mabel's  own. 
At  the  rear  of  the  hall  came  the  dining  room,  which 
in  its  turn  had  opening  from  out  of  it,  the  tiny 
chamber,  claimed  by  Mr.  Tremaine,  and  the  cozy 
little  kitchen.  The  latter  was  not  without  its  queen, 
though  of  dusky  hue,  whose  good  natured  face  and 
motherly  ways,  caused  all  to  acknowledge  her  right  to 
the  sway  therein. 

"Auntie  Bet"  was  a  happy  old  soul,  though  indeed, 
one  would  say  she  had  good  reason  to  be  for  she  had 
what  few  of  her  color  in  those  days  possessed,  a  home 
of  her  own  down  at  the  back  of  the  lot,  which  her 
kind  employer  had  built  and  given  to  her;  consisting 
of  a  bedroom  and  parlor,  or  sitting  room,  parlor  she 


OUR    MABEL.  15 

called  it,  tiny  ot  course,  but  full  of  comfort  to  the 
genuinely  good  woman  who  occupied  it. 

But  Auntie  Bet  did  not  live  alone  down  there,  her 
greatest  pleasure  being  in  the  consciousness  that  she 
and  her  "  old  man  "  could  sit  down  before  their  own 
fireside  of  evenings  and  chat  while  she  did  her  mend- 
ing or  knitting. 

Uncle  Sam  though  not  quite  so  evenly  tempered  as 
his  wife,  would  nevertheless  be  sadly  missed  were  he 
to  forsake  the  care  of  out-door  matters. 


CHAPTER  II. 

A   BIRTH-DAY   PARTY PRIDE,  ENVY    AND  HAPPINESS. 

"  Uncle!  dear  uncle! "  exclaimed  "  Our  Mabel,"  as 
she  entered  the  morning  room  and  found  her  uncle 
in  his  accustomed  place,  "what  do  you  think  of  this? 
I  called  just  now  on  May  and  Jennie  Osgood  to  invite 
them  to  my  birthday  party  Thursday  afternoon  and 
evening.  At  first  they  seemed  delighted,  and  began 
to  ask  who  else  was  coming.  I  told  them  I  intended 
to  have  all  the  young  folks  of  the  village.  '  What! ' 
they  exclaimed,  '  not  Jane  Benson,  Carrie  Long  and 
Julia  Howard?'  *  Yes,  said  I,  why  not?'  'Oh 
Mabel!  what  are  you  thinking  of,  they  are  not  con- 
sidered respectable,  and  mama  would  be  shocked  to 
have  us  associate  with  them.  We  would  like  to  go  to 
your  party  ever  so  much,  but  if  you  really  intend  to 
have  those  girls,  we  will  have  to  give  it  up!  Uncle 
dear,  I  could  not  help  it,  but  I  said,  '  I  am  sorry  that 
you  feel  as  you  do,  but  for  nothing  in  this  world, 
would  I  slight  the  very  girls  you  mention.  I  know 
them  well,  and  more  earnest,  true  hearted  girls,  will 
be  hard  to  find.  To  be  sure,  Jane  Benson  works  at 
the  milliner's  for  the  support  of  herself  and  a  feeble 
mother.  Carrie  Long  does  most  of  the  work  of  her 
mother's  house,  because  with  their  large  family  they 


OUR   MABEL.  17 

cannot  afford  to  keep  a  girl;  and  Julia  Howard,  dear 
little  soul,  will  take  in  sewing  whenever  she  can  get 
it.  I  do  not  know  what  you  mean  by  respectable, 
but  if  it  is  not  respectable  to  take  care  of  one's  own 
self,  and  do  as  much  for  others  as  we  can,  then  I  have 
never  understood  the  term  aright.  I  added,  'perhaps 
you  will  think  better  of  it,  I  hope  you  will,'  and  bade 
them  good  morning." 

"  Spoken  like  our  own  Mabel,  to  the  point,  and 
well,"  replied  her  uncle. 

"But  uncle,"  said  Mabel,  as  with  tears  in  her  eyes 
she  drew  up  the  ottoman  and  took  her  favorite 
position  at  his  feet,  "  I  am  so  disappointed,  they  seem 
to  be  such  nice  girls,  and  I  really  wanted  them  to 
come  very  much.  To  be  sure  they  have  not  been 
here  long,  and  1  do  not  know  them  very  well,  but  I 
did  not  for  a  moment  suppose,  that  because  they  live 
in  a  little  finer  house  than  others,  and  keep  a  coacn- 
man  to  drive  for  them,  that  they  would  look  down 
upon  our  village  girls." 

"  My  dear  child,  I  now  confess  that  as  you  went 
out  on  your  errand  this  morning,  I  felt  what  the  con- 
sequences would  be,  and  I  would  have  saved  you  the 
unpleasant  experience,  but  I  reasoned  that  no  fact  or 
knowledge,  is  truly  ours,  except  through  its  experi- 
ence, that  1  should  indeed  rob  you  of  your  birth- 
right, were  I  to  withhold  you  from  a  single  experience 
that  your  nature  is  capable  of  grasping  intelligently. 
You  have  now  attained  an  age,  when  I  can  explain 
these  things  to  you,  but  if  you  will  go  back  and  up 


18  OUK    MABEL. 

through  your  childhood  to  the  present  time,  you  will 
gradually  come  to  see  that  you  have  been  subjected  to 
this  plan  all  along." 

"  I  thank  the  good  God  and  His  angels  above,  that 
you  have  grown  to  feel  and  comprehend  the  inner  life 
of  souls,  and  that  you  have  not  only  the  willingness, 
but  the  strength  to  recognize  and  stand  up  for  true 
worth  everywhere." 

"Bat  regarding  your  experience  this  morning,  it  is 
one  which  you  will  often  meet  as  your  life  broadens 
and  drifts  you  out  upon  the  sea  of  worldly  strife  for 
place  and  power.  In  our  quiet  home,  among  our 
village  people,  but  little  of  the  world's  ambition  has 
crept  among  us,  and  we  know  our  neighbors  for 
just  what  they  are,  kindly,  good  intention ed,  most  of 
them,  and  as  I  have  often  striven  to  show  you,  all  in 
reality  striving  after  the  same  goal,  though  taking  as 
different  methods  to  attain  it,  as  the  varied  minds 
with  which  they  are  endowed." 

"  Hitherto,  I  have  dwelt  in  talking  with  you,  more 
upon  the  motives  and  true  intentions  of  men  and 
women,  striving  thus  to  cultivate  your  heart's  quick 
intuitions,  and  putting  in  the  background  the  actions, 
or  words  hastily  spoken  and  done,  and  of  which, 
most  men  quickly  repent,  though  habit  and  pride 
prevent  retraction." 

"  As  the  years  pass  on,  you  will  perceive  why  I 
have  aimed  to  lay  this  groundwork,  which  I  must 
truly  say  brings  its  hours  of  sorrow  and  pain, 
but  also  its  rich  reward,  of  souls  in  conscious  com- 


OUR    MABEL.  19 

munion  with  souls,  opening  the  door  for  the  angel  of 
charity  to  glide  in,  and  clothe  with  her  pure  and 
white  robes,  many  a  one  more  sinned  against,  than 
sinning." 

"  Dear  child  you  are  now  entering  upon  woman- 
hood, and  I  would  have  you  apply  these  lessons  of 
your  youth  to  the  broader  field  of  human  kind,  that 
is  now  opening  up  before  you." 

"  I  will  not  lecture  long,  but  let  us  return  to  May 
and  Jennie  and  see  how  we  can  apply  this 
principle." 

"Oh,  uncle!  you  know  I  love  to  hear  you 
talk,  or  lecture  if  you  will,  for  somehow  I  always  feel 
stronger  and  bigger,  as  if  I  would  not  be  afraid  if  all 
the  world  was  looking  on,  to  help  some  poor  body, 
that  every  other  one  would  scorn.  Tell  me,  uncle, 
don't  you  think  that  when  people  have  such  feelings, 
that  even  if  they  have  not  the  opportunity  to  do 
much,  the  feeling  itself,  helps  to  make  them  strong?" 

"  Certainly,  Mabel,  certainly,  nothing  is  more  true. 
The  encouragement  of  any  sentiment  through  thought 
or  imagination,  gives  it  strength,  and  often  becomes 
a  mighty  power  for  both  evil  and  good,  mind 
that,  both  evil  and  good,  for  instance,  the  senti- 
ment you  have  just  expressed,  encouraged  in  your 
thought  by  imaginary  actions,  would  give  you 
the  actual  moral  courage  to  enter  the  veriest  den  to 
aid  a  suffering  soul.  Encourage  a  small  beginning 
of  dislike  and  jealousy  in  the  same  way,  and  it  heats 
the  soul   it  sways,  hotter  and  hotter,  until  at  last, 


20  OUR    MABEL. 

naught  but  the  very  life  blood  of  its  object,  can 
quench  or  in  the  least  assuage  its  passion. 

"  These  are  extreme  cases,  but  their  shadings  are 
many,  as  seen  and  felt  in  the  daily  life  of  all.  Oh 
that  people  would  stop  to  consider,  and  analyze  the 
principles  underlying  humanities  outgrowth. 

"But  I  have  wandered  off  from  May  and  Jennie 
Osgood. 

"  I  desire  to  point  out  one  thing  to  you,  and  see  if 
our  Mabel  does  not  think  there  is  a  work  for  her  to 
do  in  that  direction. 

"  You  say,  they  seem  to  be  such  nice  girls.  That 
they  appeal  to  you  as  such,  is  your  soul's  recognition 
of  the  genuine  in  their  natures,  despite  the  outward 
encrustations  which  now  envelope  them. 

"  The  divine  spark  of  truth  is  a  gem  often  deeply 
imbedded  in  earth,  but  because  all  eyes  do  not 
behold  it,  or  but  few  the  hands  that  can  grasp  it,  yet 
all  the  same  the  jewel  is  there,  and  often  the 
soil  is  looser  than  it  seems,  when  the  hand  of  love 
attacks  it,  and  will  crumble  aside  to  disclose  the  pure 
sparkle  of  worth. 

"  See,  now,  how  the  whole  course  of  a  life  may 
be  changed  by  the  having  or  not,  of  a  discreet,  loving 
and  tender  hand  to  guide  the  growing  soul  in  its 
youthful  aspirations.  I  say  aspiration,  for  aspiration 
is  the  native  heaven  born  instinct  of  human  life 
everywhere,  and  is  the  leader  to  every  result. 

"  Parents  love  their  children  and  think  to  manifest 
it  in  myraid  ways,  yet  few  there  be  who  comprehend 


OUR   MABEL.  21 

this  love's  diviner  instinct,  which  nature  strives 
through  them  to  hand  to  offspring,  and  thus  by 
granting  material  desires  alone,  and  by  gratifying 
fleeting  fancies,  are  but  lulling  to  sleep  the  interior 
life  that  seeks  for  recognition,  and  which  through  un- 
wise hands,  meets  all  but  death,  and  ofttimes  proves 
an  abortion  in  reality,  as  to  this  life's  existence. 

"  Now  my  darling,  your  busy  little  life  has  proven 
to  you  there  should  be  no  place  for  idlers  here;  that 
God  has  put  us  on  this  planet  for  a  purpose,  and  who 
that  has  looked  deep  into  human  hearts,  can  misjudge 
what  that  purpose  is.  You  know  I  love  to  quote 
from  one  who  is  to  me  my  guardian  angel,  and 
to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the  many  trains  of 
thought  and  action  that  has  led  me  close  to  the  heart 
of  humanity  to  listen  to  its  struggling  pulsations.  In 
the  night  time  comes  my  sweetest  visions,  after  the 
weariness  of  the  day  has  worn  off  with  the  early  hours 
of  sleep.  When  my  soul  is  troubled  with  the  prob- 
lems of  life,  the  touch  and  breath  I've  learned  so  well 
to  know,  comes  at  such  times,  to  waken,  and  reveal 
the  answer  solved. 

"  Thus  at  one  time  I  labored  long  with  and  for  a 
soul  that  seemed  so  lost  to  human  thought  or  will, 
that  no  impression  of  any  kind  could  apparently  be 
made  upon  him,  and  in  my  despair  of  accomplishing 
aught,  I  almost  forsook  one  principle  instilled  by  my 
mother's  care  and  love,  that  all  beings  high  or  low, 
rich  or  poor,  degraded  or  otherwise  surely  have 
their  angel  side. 


22  OUR   MABEL. 

"  Then  spoke  my  angel  watcher,  '  When  upon  a 
cold  stone  the  water  falls  drop  by  drop,  you  deem  no 
impress  e'er  is  made,  but  time  has  proven  that  even  a 
stone  must  yield  its  strength  to  the  suppliant  power 
of  the  tiny  drop.  To  impress  little  children  both 
tender  and  weak,  is  needed  the  precept  on  precept, 
and  line  upon  line.  How  then  is  this,  a  man  grown 
old  in  the  work  of  a  sexton,  each  day  with  his  spade 
and  more  clods  of  clay  burying  a  little  deeper  his 
birth-right  of  self-hood,  until  the  flame  that  would 
sometimes  leap  up  in  a  nicker,  has  died  down  into  the 
dimmest  expression  of  an  outspent  fire.  The  stone 
can  be  worn  through  in  time  by  the  drop  of  water, 
the  tender  child  needs  the  oft  repeated  maxims  of 
truth  to  be  kept  before  its  thought.  Then  despair 
not,  work  faithfully  on,  the  seeds  of  truth  must  ger- 
minate, and  according  to  its  kind  take  time  to  root. 
You  do  not  sow  seeds  in  your  garden  over  night,  and 
expect  in  the  morning  the  unfolding  leaf,  but  it  must 
germinate  and  expand  in  the  darkness  of  earth,  before 
it  has  strength  to  peep  at  the  light.  When  a  mortal 
lies  in  a  deep  opiate  slumber,  you  know  that  time 
only  can  bring  recognition,  or  sensate  full  life,  then 

Dear  one,  oil  dear  one,  no  mission  forsake, 
Let  love  drops  still  fall,  drop  upon  drop, 

And  germs  of  sweet  truth,  shall  follow  their  wake, 
Ope'  to  the  morn,  and  to  heaven  look  up. 

Your  little  friends  now  are  but  dozing,  a  few  gentle 
touches  will  rouse  them  to  life;  indeed,  even  this 
morning's  contact  with  unaccustomed  thought,  will 


OUR    MABEL.  23 

set  the  heart's  blood  in  motion  for  a  better  circu- 
lation. 

"  Do  not  shrink  from  meeting  with  them,  nor  fear 
to  express  by  action,  or  thought  truly  spoken,  the 
principles  you  have  adopted  for  your  own  living;  thus 
am  I  sure  that  not  only  they  but  many  another  with 
whom  your  future  shall  bring  you  in  contact,  will 
bless  you,  if  not  in  words,  in  their  innermost  being, 
for  the  strength  which  your  example  alone  gives  to 
them  to  express  and  live  their  truest  conception  and 
thought. 

"Tears!  Mabel,  tears!  Forgive  your  old  uncle  for 
moralizing  so  long,  when  you  should  have  been  out 
like  the  birds,  free  as  air,  to  dress  up  the  house  in 
your  own  sweet  way,  Tor  the  party  that  now  will  be 
soon  in  its  coming." 

"  But  I  like  to  be  a  caged  bird  sometimes,  and  I 
like  to  have  tears,  when  they  come  because  I  feel 
thankful  and  because  I  long  to  be  good  and  live  as  I 
am  moved  to,  when  I  hear  you  talk,"  said  Mabel. 

"  J  will  try  darling  uncle  to  remember  all  you  tell 
me,  and " 

'•There,  there  now,  don't  pattern  after  that  same 
uncle  and  moralize  too  long.  I  must  stop  such  an 
effervescence  with  a  kiss." 


CHAPTEK  III. 


THE    OSGOOD    FAMILY 


When  Mabel  left  the  home  of  the  O sgoods  after 
giving  her  invitation,  the  sisters  stood  for  a  moment 
in  silence  ;  then  Jennie,  the  most  impulsive  of  the 
two,  exclaimed  :    . 

"  Well,  May,  what  do  yon  think  of  that  ?  " 

"I  dont  know ;  I  think  she  is  right,  and  I  think 
she  is  wrong.  Somehow,  Mabel  always  makes  me 
feel  nneasy  when  I  see  her,  as  if  something  was  all 
wrong,  and  I  don't  know  what." 

"Well,  it's  plain  to  see  that  she  is  a  queer  girl, 
with  her  queer  notions,  and  I  am  not  going  to  bother 
myself  about  her,  and  if  I  were  you,  May,  I  wouldn't 
either.     Let's  go  and  tell  mama." 

A  spring  and  a  bound  brought  Jennie  to  the  sitting- 
room,  where  the  mother  was  ensconced  in  her  easy 
sewing  chair,  and  had  already  began  her  story  of 
Mabel's  visit  before  the  more  quiet  sister  had  reached 
the  same  spot. 

"  Be  quiet,  Jennie,  for  pity's  sake,  and  let  me  un- 
derstand what  you  are  talking  about." 

"  Why,  this  :  Mabel  called  just  now  to  invite  us  to 
her  party  Thursday  evening,  and  she  is  going  to  have 
all  the  girls  of   the  village — seamstresses,  milliners, 


OUR    MABEL.  25 

and  I  don't  know  but  all  the  servants,  too.  At  any 
rate,  she  might  have  known  better  than  to  ask  us." 

"  How  is  this,  May  ?  How  much  exaggeration, 
now  ? " 

"  Well,  mother,  Mabel  did  say  she  intended  to  in- 
vite all  the  village  girls,  and  when  we  exclaimed, 
i  Why,  you  don't  mean  to  invite  Jane  Benson,  Carrie 
Long  or  Julia  Howard,'  she  said  she  did  ;  that  for  all 
the  world  she  would  not  slight  those  very  girls,  as  she 
knew  them  well,  '  and  more  earnest  and  true-hearted 
girls  would  be  hard  to  find.'  " 

"  Strange,  that  Mabel  should  try  to  carry  out  such 
an  idea.  I  suppose  many  such  girls  are  good  and 
noble,  yet  we  must  not  forget  that  some  things  are 
due  to  our  station  in  life,  and  such  a  plan  of  mingling 
the  classes  would  never  work  well — everybody  has  his 
or  her  place  in  the  scale  of  society  and  should  keep  it. 
Mabel  is  a  good  girl,  well  born  and  raised,  though  by 
an  eccentric  uncle,  and  with  her  you  might  associate, 
but  I  am  not  willing  you  should  meet  on  an  equal 
footing  those  outside  of  our  own  station." 

"  So  then,  May,  we  don't  go  ;  that  settles  it.  I  told 
Mabel,  mother,  that  you  would  be  shocked,  and  that 
we  could  not  go,  but  she  only  said  she  was  sorry  and 
hoped  we  would  think  better  of  it." 

"  What  now,  May  ?  Are  you  then  so  disappointed 
that  the  tears  must  come  ? " 

"  No,  it  is  not  that,  mother.  I  hardly  know  myself, 
but  I  can't  help  feeling  that  Mabel  is  right  in  what 
we  call  her  queer  notions.     Always  when  I  have  been 


^6  OUR    MABEL 

with  her  I  felt  uneasy,  and,  dear  mother,  don't  think 
me  foolish.  I  feel  as  if  I  am  not  living  just  right — 
that  I  have  some  kind  of  work  to  do  that  nobody  else 
can  do  for  me,  and  I  don't  know  what  it  is,  only  such 
a  longing  for  something." 

"  Tnt,  tut,  child,  you  will  have  enough  to  do  by  and 
by.  A  few  years,  and  you  will  probably  have  all  the 
cares  a  woman  can  want,  and  meantime  it  is  your  duty 
to  improve  what  advantages  of  education  and  society 
your  parents  can  give." 

"  But,  mother,  you  do  not  understand  me.  I  am 
sure " 

"  I  understand  now,  May,  that  this  morbid  fancy  is 
what  has  ailed  you  of  late,  moving  you  about  the 
house  so  slowly  and  bringing  tears  to  your  eyes  most 
unexpectedly.  In  fact,  your  imagination  is  making 
you  sick.  You  must  certainly  put  a  stop  to  such  idle 
fancies.  Your  duties  now  are  to  study  well,  practice 
well,  and  to  spend  what  time  you  have  to  spare  from 
these  in  out  door  exercise,  and  you  will  soon  find  these 
unnatural  ideas  will  leave  you.  About  the  party,  I 
must  talk  with  your  father  before  we  decide  ;  as  we 
have  lived  in  Homer  so  short  a  time,  and  Mr.  Tre- 
maine  is  a  leading  man  here,  your  father  may  think  it 
wise  to  accept  this  invitation,  in  which  case  I  can  cer- 
tainly trust  my  daughters,  as  to  whom  they  will  asso- 
ciate with  and  who  not.  Mabel  will  not  always  be  so 
foolish,  and  will  probably  change  her  course  before  a 
great  while." 

"  There  comes  father  now;  let's  ask  him  right  away !  " 


OUR    MABEL.  27 

"  No,  Jennie  ;  time  enough  after  dinner.  Go  tell 
Harriet  your  father  is  coming  and  that  I  shall  be 
down  almost  immediately." 

That  meal  being  over,  Mrs.  Osgood  spoke  quietly  to 
her  husband,  saying : 

"  George,  come  with  me  to  the  sitting  room  for 
awhile  ;  I  want  to  talk  with  you." 

"  To  the  sitting  room,  is  it  ?  Sure,  an'  ar'nt  ye's 
always  a-talking  to  me  ? " 

"  Do,  George,  put  aside  your  fun  for  once.  You 
ought  not  to  be  so  undignified.  See  how  the  girls  are 
growing  up — almost  young  ladies  now,  and  you  carry 
on  before  them  when  the  humor  is  on  you,  just  as  in 
years  ago." 

"  An'  it's  me  fun  I  must  be  laving,  from  the  young 
folks  saving,  lest  they  take  to  behaving  ! " 

"  George,  George  !  Listen,  now,  and  be  serious. 
I  want  your  advice.  Mr.  Tremaine's  niece  is  to  have 
a  birth-day  party  and  has  invited  our  girls." 

"  Well,  that's  good.     Let  them  go " 

"  But  what  else,  do  you  think  ?  Mabel  has  con- 
ceived the  queer  notion  of  asking  some  of  the  poorest 
working  girls  in  town  also,  and  when  May  and  Jennie 
remonstrated,  said  she  would  not  slight  these  girls  for 
the  world,  and  when  they  said  they  could  not  come 
then,  she  only  said  she  was  sorry,  but  hoped  they 
might  think  better  of  it." 

"  That  is  rather  rough  for  us,  but  I'll  tell  you  what, 
wife  ;  it  won't  do  to  hold  our  heads  above  Mr.  Tre- 
maine.     He  is  a  power  here  ;  every  man,  woman  and 


28  OUR    MABEL. 

child  love  and  respect  him,  and  as  a  unit  would  resent 
what  they  might  consider  an  insult  to  him." 

"  I  had  a  thought  of  that  kind  myself,  and  there- 
fore told  the  girls  I  could  not  decide  until  I  had  con- 
sulted you.  But  George,  where  is  this  sort  of  thing 
going  to  lead  us?  Have  you  noticed  May  of  late?  She 
is  already  so  much  affected  by  Mabel's  ideas  and  actions 
— which  I  regard  as  a  girlish  sentimentality — that  she 
does  not  appear  like  the  same  child,  but  she/house  as  in 
a  dream,  and  often  tears  come  to  her  eyes  mopes  about 
the  when  their  cause  I  am  at  a  loss  to  perceive." 

To  tell  the  truth,  wife,  I  understand  something  of 
that,  for  Mr.  Tremaine  in  his  contact  with  the  peo- 
ple, his  manner  towards  them,  together  with  his 
example  and  speech,  have  set  me  to  thinking  too,  and 
I  have  become  convinced  that  there  is  something  well 
grounded  in  the  principles  of  a  man  that  will  engen- 
der and  retain  not  only  the  respect,  but  love  of  a 
community  like  this.  I  do  sincerely  feel  that  there  is 
something  grand  and  noble,  and  worth  aspiring  to  in 
the  life  of  such  a  man." 

"  Mabel  has,  of  course,  imbibed  to  a  great  extent 
his  ideas  of  thought  and  maimer;  she,  too,  is  greatly 
beloved  for  her  genuine  goodness  and  sympathy  for 
all,  and  I  judge  if  it  has  not  lessened  the  esteem  of 
others  for  her,  or  degraded  her,  the  stooping  to  take 
the  hands  and  cheer  the  hearts  of  many  below  her 
station  in  life,  neither  will  it  contaminate  our  daugh- 
ters but  do  them  good." 

u  Why!  George,  you   astonish  me.     I  never  heard 


OUR    MABEL.  29 

you  talk  in  that  way  before.  You  seem  excited.  Stop 
walking,  please,  and  sit  down  by  me.  Now  think 
wmat  you  have  been  saying.  What  would  your  father 
and  mother  of  the  good  old  family  of  Osgood  say  to 
hear  you  thus  express  yourself,  to  say  nothing  of  my 
side  of  the  house?" 

"  I  am  not  excited,  but  in  deep  earnest,  meaning 
■just  what  I  say;  and  as  for  my  ancestry,  all  due  respect 
beino*  paid  to  them,  I  feel  now  to  say,  let  the  dead 
past  bury  its  dead!  For  their  times  they  were  well, 
and  whatever  distinguished  them  was  due  to  the 
individuality  of  each.  The  fortunate  circumstances  of 
birth  and  means  was  an  aid  thereto,  but  many  pos- 
sessed of  these  come  into  the  world  and  out  of  it 
without  a  single  achievement.  I  am  proud  and 
thankful  to  be  a  descendant  of  those  who  did  accom- 
plish something,  but  now  I  feel  I  shall  be  recreant  to 
their  blood  if  in  my  turn,  in  an  age  of  Republicanism, 
I  do  not  work  out  my  own  individuality." 

"  Well,  dear,  I  cannot  understand  this  change  in 
vour  views,  nor  can  I  bring  myself  to  a  belief  that 
you  are  right,  and  I  wonder  if  you  consider  how  much 
of  trouble  and  opposition  such  a  course  will  plunge 
us  into." 

"  Of  course  you  cannot  believe  until  you  know,  but 
after  a  while  you  will  come  to  know  that  I  am  right 
by  o-iving  a  little  thought  and  attention  to  the  sub- 
ject, and  then  it  is  my  wifey  that  will  not  care  for 
'  Mrs.  Grundy  '  at  large,  or  in  the  shape  of  any  descen- 
dant of  never  so  ancient  a  family.     I  have  been  trying 


30  OUR    MABEL. 

for  a  month  or  more  to  express  these  views  to  you, 
but  I  could  not  get  about  it,  somehow  it  seemed  so 
hard  to  begin,  and  after  all,  like  a  good  little  woman, 
you  opened  the  door  for  me  yourself.  I  know  I  was 
striving  to  carry  a  load  which  should  be  laid  at  your 
feet.  1  am  relieved,  now  look  up  and  smile,  and 
tell  me,  if  you  can,  that  my  apostacy  is  not  too  great 
to  contemplate." 

"  I  can  only  say,  dear,  that  I  hope  you  are  in  the 
right,  but  I  cannot  as  yet  overcome  my  fears." 

"  "Well,  wife,  we  will  talk  more  on  these  matters, 
and  as  I  have  yet  very  much  more  to  learn,  wTe  will 
study  together  what  Mr.  Tremaine  is  pleased  to  call 
the  « laws  of  life.'" 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CENCE 


The  first  day  of  June  and  Mabel's  birth-day  morn- 
ing, dawned  at  last  in  perfect  loveliness.  The  soft 
balmy  air  laden  with  perfumes  exhaled  by  the  first 
venturesome  flowers,  gave  a  promise  of  the  richness 
and  fragrance  of  the  full  grown  summer,  beautiful 
type  of  Mabel's  May  hours  just  budding  into  life's 
summer,  unfolding  with  the  season's  sun  and  showers 
to  the  promised  full  blown  flower.  Thus  thought  Mr. 
Tremaine  as  with  loving  eyes  he  watched  "  Our 
Mabel "  flit  to  and  fro,  intent  on  the  preparations  for 
making  her  young  friends  happy. 

It  was  decided  as  the  weather  was  fine,  to  set  the 
tables  under  the  trees,  and  Mabel  had  said  that  the 
girls  would  be  pleased  to  lend  a  hand  she  was  sure, 
when  the  afternoon  games  were  over,  so  Auntie  Bet  I 
shall  have  everything  ready  in  dishes  to  put  right  on 
the  table." 

"  Well  chile,  jis  as  you  please,  but  it  'pears  to  me 
t'would  be  a  heap  nicer  to  have  the  tables  sot  and 
looking  purty  like  when  the  young  folks  comes." 

"  But  auntie  it  would  look  stiff,  and  I  don't  want 


32  OUR    MABEL. 

any  stiffness,  I  want  them  to  have  a  good  easy  time, 
and  I  am  almost  afraid  we  shall  set  your  dear  old 
head  crazy,  for  I  mean  that  they  shall  all  play 
little  children  and  forget  everything  else  for  one  after- 
noon, so  look  out  for  a  deal  of  romping  and  fun." 

Just  then  Mr.  Tremaine  called,  saying: 

"I  have  an  odd  thought  Mabel;  do  you  remember 
those  colored  boxes  that  look  so  much  like  Chinese 
lanterns,  only  much  smaller,  that  I  had  made  for  the 
Christmas  tree  that  we  were  obliged  to  abandon? 
Well,  you  will  have  more  goodies  than  you  will  use, 
have  you  not?" 

"  Yes  indeed." 

"  Now  what  do  you  say  to  filling  the  same  number 
of  boxes  with  sweetmeats,  that  you  have  invited  of 
young  folks,  marking  each  with  a  name,  and  putting 
some  appropriate  motto  within.  We  will  have  uncle 
Sam  climb  the  big  cedar  tree  and  hang  them  about 
on  the  branches,  and  before  the  young  people  go 
home  he  must  climb  it  again  and  hand  them  down 
one  by  one." 

u  Splendid!  splendid!  How  did  you  come  to  think 
of  such  a  thing,  uncle? " 

"  You  left  me  to  dream,  Mabel,  and  I  dreamed." 

"  Well,  it  does  seem  more  like  a  dream  than  any- 
thing else  but  we'll  make  this  one  come  true,  wont 
we?" 

"  I'll  bring  you  the  boxes  this  minute,  and  say, 
uncle,  don't  you  think  if  you  print  the  names,  that 
uncle  Sam  can  read  them  himself  as  he  hands  them 


OUR    MABEL.  33 

down?  It  seems  to  me  it  would  be  ever  so  much  more 
fun." 

"  That's  a  fact,  so  he  might.  Be  off,  then,  for  I 
must  to  work,  all  dreaming  is  ended." 

Thus  sped  the  happy  hours,  until  3  o'clock  when 
the  first  comers  arrived,  followed  by  others  in  quick 
succession  until  the  whole  number  of  the  invited,, 
save  May  and  Jennie  Osgood  were  upon  the  ground.. 

Mabel  was  somewhat  saddened  at  the  thought 
of  their  absence,  for  she  indulged  the  hope  that  they 
"would  think  better  of  it"  and  come.  She  was  just 
saying  to  herself,  I  must  forget  it  now,  when  the 
sound  of  wheels  was  heard,  and  a  moment  after,  the 
Osgood  carriage  was  drawn  up,  May  and  Jennie  both 
alighting  therefrom. 

Mr.  Tremaine  went  forward  to  meet  them,  and 
Mabel  led  them  first  to  her  room,  and  then  out 
of  doors  to  the  other  guests,  introducing  them  in  her 
own  sweet  way  to  those  with  whom  they  were  unac- 
quainted. 

Merry  and  many  were  the  games  of  that  afternoon, 
bringing  a  bloom  to  the  pale  cheeks,  and  an  unusual 
brightness  to  the  eyes  of  some,  unaccustomed  to 
relaxation  from  toil  and  care  or  the  joyousness  of  con- 
gregated youthfulness.  Even  Jennie  forgot  her 
contemplated  dignity,  by  which  she  intended  to 
vindicate  her  family  pride,  and  yielded  to  the  real 
nature  within,  of  mirthfulness  and  glee.  More  than 
once  came  the  tears  to  May's  gentle  eyes,  as  she  felt 
how  grand  and  noble  was   this  act  of  Mabel's,  and 


34:  OUR   MABEL. 

whispered  to  herself,  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than 
to  receive. 

It  was  time  for  the  evening  refreshment,  when 
Mabel  said: 

"  Now  girls,  here  comes  uncle  Sam  and  auntie  Bet 
with  the  table.  We  are  to  have  supper  under  the 
trees,  and  I  thought  you  would  all  like  to  help  me  set 
them." 

"Yes  indeed,  and  so  we  would,"  came  from  many 
happy  voices. 

Odd  Tom  Joiner  with  his  manful  heart  found  his 
way  to  Mabel's  side: 

"  I  say,  Miss  Mabel,  aren't  the  boys  good  for  help- 
ing too?" 

"  Why  yes,  we  conld'nt  do  without  them,"  then 
raising  her  voice,  said:  "Boys  we  need  your  help  too. 
May  and  I  will  hand  you  the  things  from  this  side 
door,  and  as  many  hands  make  light  work,  we  shall 
soon  have  our  table  spread.  Tom  let  your  strong 
arms  do  duty  here,  take  this  small  bouquet  and  place 
it  in  the  centre  of  the  table,  and  the  rest  you  may  all 
arrange  to  suit  yourselves." 

"Oh  lovely!  "  oh,  how  handsome!"  "  I  should  say 
it  is  huge,"  were  some  of  the  exclamations,  that 
greeted  the  appearance  of  an  immense  bouquet  which 
uncle  Sam  had  wrought  entirely  of  wild  flowers,  most 
tastefully  arranged,  and  presented  to  Mabel  that 
morning. 

Finally  the  tables  were  loaded,  and  Mabel  appeared 
with  auntie  Bet  bearing  a  tray  of  tiny  nosegays,  one 


OUR    MABEL.  35 

of  which  she  placed  on  every  plate,  declaring  then 
that  all  was  ready. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Tremaine  had  been  a  quiet  looker 
on,  as  he  sat  almost  concealed  from  view,  by  one 
of  the  windows,  indulging  the  thoughts  and  reason- 
ings, that  any  gathering  of  human  beings  always 
unfolded  to  him.  No  wonder  he  started  in  surprise 
when  a  whole  troop  of  young  girls,  with  Mabel 
at  their  head,  confronted  him  with  the  demand,  that 
he  should  now  appear  upon  the  scene  of  action; 
demur  he  should  not,  and  as  a  dear  hand  was  placed 
upon  his  lips,  and  other  hands  enclasped  each  arm,  he 
could  not,'  so  then  was  he  led  to  the  head  of  the  table, 
where  stood  his  arm-chair  of  the  study,  brought 
hither  by  the  boys,  at  Mabel's  request. 

Now  the  ''goodies"  began  to  circulate  and  all 
hands  had  as  much  as  they  could  attend  to. 

During  the  afternoon  many  wonderments  had 
found  expression  relative  to  the  cedar  tree  with  its 
burden  of  gay  trappings,  but  Mabel  had  not  seemed 
to  hear  a  word. 

One  little  fellow  guessed  "  they  wanted  lanterns  if 
it  was  in  the  day  time,"  another,  ''I  wonder  what  all 
those  pretty  colored  things  are  for? "  and  once  a 
sturdy  little  fellow  essayed  to  "  climb  and  see,"  his 
playmate  "boosting  him  "  when  his  little  sister  with 
more  sense  of  propriety,  quickly  but  gently  put  a  stop 
to  the  act. 

Now  this  same  little  fellow  took  into  his  head 
&,  new  idea,  and  leaving  his  place  at  the  table,  with 


36  OUR    MABEL. 

his  mouth  still  full  of  the  nuts  he  was  eating,  came 
around  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Tremaine,  and  said,  "  Mr. 
Tremaine  please  tell  us  what  all  those  bright  things  in 
the  cedar  tree  is  for,  some  of  us  fellers  wan  1ft  to 
know." 

"Where,  what  things?"  said  Mr.  Tremaine,  look- 
ing everywhere  but  the  right  place. 

"  There,  there  up  in  that  tree." 

"  Oh,  why  sure  enough,  wdiat  can  they  be? " 

Mabel  was  smiling,  as  she  knew  the  next  attack 
would  be  upon  her,  but  sober  enough  when  the 
moment  after  they  confronted  her.  with: 

"  Miss  Mabel  do  tell  us  what  is  hanging  up  in  that 
tree." 

"  Hanging  in  a  tree?    Why  birds  of  course." 

"  No,  no,  not  birds." 

"  Well  then  I'll  have  to  give  it  up." 

"  Why  Miss  Mabel  we  did'nt  say  a  conundrum;  we 
want  you  to  look  up  and  tell  us  what  those  bright 
things  is  on  those  cedar  brandies." 

Forced  thus  to  look  up,  she  exclaimed,  "  why  where 
did  they  come  from,  what  can  they  be,  we  must  rind 
out." 

"There!  they  did'nt  know  theyselves,  I  wish  sis 
had'nt  stopped  me  and  we'd  all  a  known  before 
now" 

The  supper  finally  over,  nncle  Sam  was  called,  and 
told  that  the  young  folks  had  discovered  something 
bright  dangling  from  that  tree  yonder,  and  they  were 
all  anxious  to  know  what  they  were. 


OUR    MABEL.  37 

"  He,  he,  I'll  climb  the  tree  for  to  see,  but  I  reckon 
ydem  birds  make  'nm  nests  up  thai*,  jist  cause  its 
young  Missus'  birfday." 

So  up  went  uncle  Sam  until  he  could  reach  the  first 
bright  box. 

"  Why  jist  as  sure  as  I  live,  thar's  a  name  on  'de 
very  bottom  of  'dis  ting." 

u  Read  it!  read  it!  "  chimed  in  one  and  all. 

"  T-O-M— Tom— J-O-I-IST-E-K— Joinerl " 

Poor  Tom  blushed  to  the  roots  of  his  hair,  at  thus 
becoming  for  the  moment  the  observed  of  all 
observers. 

"  Open  it,  open  it,"  cried  they  all,— and  there 
appeared  Tom's  motto,  which  on  taking  out,  disclosed 
the  sweetmeats  underneath.  With  the  blushes  still 
upon  his  face  Tom  turned,  first  to  Mabel,  with, 
"  I  thank  you"  and  then  to  Mr.  Tremaine,  but  what- 
ever the  words  he  meant  to  utter,  they  died  upon  his 
lips,  and  he  could  but  reach  forth  his  hand  in  silence. 

Each  and  all  were  receiving  their  boxes,  some  with 
many  exclamations,  and  others  with  none  at  all, 
according  as  this  mark  of  thoughtful  friendship 
affected  the  participants. 

As  the  distribution  went  on,  Tom  stood  to  one  side 
and  read  his  motto. 

"All  are  architects  of  fate, 

Nothing-  useless  is,  or  low; 
Each  thing  in  its  place  is  best, 

And  what  seems  but  idle  show 
Strengthens  and  supports  the  rest. 


38  OUR    MABEL. 

"  For  the  structure  that  we  raise, 
Time  is  with  materials  filled; 

Our  to-days  and  yesterdays 
Are  the  blocks  with  which  we  build. 

"Make  the  house,  where  God's  may  dwell, 
Beautiful,  entire  and  clean, 

Else  our  lives  are  incomplete 
Standing  in  these  walls  of  time, 

Broken  stairways,  where  the  feet 
Stumble  as  they  seek  to  climb. 

"Build  to-day,  then,  strong-  and  sure, 
With  a  firm  and  ample  base ; 

And  ascending  and  secure 
Shall  to-morrow  find  its  place." 

Mr.  Tremaine  had  his  eye  on  Tom,  though  seeming' 
not  to  see,  and  saw  the  big  tears  gather,  with  the  in- 
stant brush  of  his  coat  sleeve,  and  by  that  token,  knew 
that  the  word  arrows  had  not  missed  their  mark,  and 
that  this  "rough  diamond"  thus  startled  into 
thought,  would  become  polished  and  reflective  as  the 
perfect  stone. 

Box  after  box  had  come  clown,  each  with  its 
owner's  name  without,  and  motto  within. 

As  you  have  noticed,  Mr.  Tremaine  endeavored  to 
make  appropriate  the  latter  by  the  needs  he  had  per- 
ceived of  the  young  people,  many  of  whom  he  had 
known  from  birth.  To  May  Osgood  the  message 
came, 

"  Open  thy  heart  to  the  earnest  appeal 
Of  the  stranger,  who  stands  knocking  without, 

List,  for  it  is  thine  own  woe  or  thy  weal 
That  he  strives  thus  for  a  hearing  about. 


OUR   MABEL.  39 

"  Loudly  lie  knocketh,  and  then  he  knocks  low, 
Listening-  for  sounds  that  betoken  response, 

And  whispers  oft  sadly,  so  slow,  so  slow, 
But  I  will  not  go,  till  cometh  she  once. 

"  Ah,  I  catch  now  a  sound,  she  fears  to  ope, 
Dear  child,  pray  fear  me  not,  I  bring  no  harm, 

But  bear  in  my  arms,  sweet  burdens  of  hope, 
That  rilled  with  all  truth  shall  bury  alarm." 

To  Jennie: 

"  Make  thy  heart  a  royal  guest  chamber,  adorned 
with  every  charm  and  art,  then  fit  reception  give  to 
those  who  come  as  guests,  in  shape  of  poverty,  or 
want,  or  sin  mayhap,  whose  need  and  woe,  claims  thy 
broad  mantle  of  charity,  for  in  such  guise  as  these 
come  oft  the  'angels  unawares.'  From  out  the 
torches  lit  by  love,  ascends  life's  sweetest  prayers,  and 
oft'  reveals  a  silvered  side  beneath  mysterious  clouds 
above." 

To  Jane  Benson: 

"Where's  no  sin,  there  no  shame  is, 

Earnest  souls  make  life's  work  sweet, 
With  murm'rer's  all  the  blame  is 
Making  bitter,  duties  meet. 

"  Growth  of  soul  is  recompense, 
For  those  who  can  grasp  the  plan, 

And  a  deeper  meaning  sense 
In  trials  allotted  man. 

"  Courage  then,  all  fainting  souls, 
Learn  that  oft  times  loss  is  gain, 
Gain  fails  oft  to  reach  its  goal 
When  it  knows  not  losses'  pain." 
******** 


40  ocr  mabel. 

Carrie  Long: 

"Sweet  the  home  where  love  is  gleamim 

Through  eye,  and  tone,  and  touch. 
Pure  the  heart  where  love's  no  seeming 

But  seekest  all  its  joy 
In  tender  cares  of  life's  employ. 
******  * 

"Rosy  health  is  won  to  such 

Winning  heaven's  sweetest  smiles 
While  walking  earth  awhile." 


CHAPTER  Y. 

EDUCATION     OF     YOUNG     LADIES LIFE'S     INCIDENTS    AND 

RELATIONS. 

A  few  days  after  Mabel's  party  Mr.  Tremaine  and 
Mr.  Osgood  met  upon  the  street,  and  walking  along 
together,  a  thing  quite  usual  now,  the  former  broached 
a  subject  which  he  said  had  been  revolving  in  his 
mind  for  some  time,  namely,  the  advisability  of  send- 
ing Mabel  to  some  thorough  institute  of  learning  for 
such  a  course  of  study  as  might  be  afforded. 

"  You  have  daughters,  Mr.  Osgood,  and  I  would 
like  to  consult  with  you  and  obtain  your  ideas  upon 
the  subject." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Tremaine,  wife  and  I  have  been  consid- 
ering the  expediency  of  that  same  thing,  and  after  all 
the  pros  and  cons  we  have  about  decided  to  send 
our  girls  off  to  school  next  fall.  What  we  are  to  do 
without  them  is  more  than  I  like  to  think.  We  have 
considered  the  idea  of  a  governess,  but  conclude  the 
girls  are  too  old  for  beneficial  results,  as  we  think  they 
need  the  stimulus  of  an  emulation  only  to  be  found  in 
classes;  and  as  Homer  has  no  advanced  and  thorough- 
going school  to  send  them  to,  some  institute  elsewhere 
seems  the  only  alternative." 

"  Just  so  have  I  reasoned,  and  although  I  should 
better  approve  a  home  life  all  through  the  school  days, 


42  otjr  MABEL. 

yet  with  you,  I  am  constrained  to  believe,  that  under 
existing  circumstances  but  one  way  seems  open  to 
us." 

"  By  the  way,  Osgood,  this  must  not  always  be  the 
case  with  Homer;  we  must  accomplish  something 
better  for  its  future.  This  educational  feature  is  one 
that  often  absorbs  my  thought  as  it  lays  very  near  my 
own  heart.  But  the  way  has  not  yet  been  made  clear 
for  the  accomplishment  of  what  to  my  mind  seems 
necessary." 

"  Take  my  hand  on  that,  Tremaine,  I  will  work 
with  you  with  both  hands  and  heart." 

"  I  see  we  must  part  for  to-day,  but  may  I  not  ask 
xor  an  exposition  of  your  thought  and  views  in  the 
matter  of  schools  at  some  convenient  time?" 

a  Certainly,  my  friend,  as  they  are  in  their  present 
vague  promiscuity,  and  perhaps  out  of  the  heaps  of 
unsorted  lumber  you  and  I  can  both  present,  we  may 
be  able  to  raise  a  building  yet." 

"  Good  morning! " 

"  Good  morning! " 

And  so  these  two  really  good  men,  so  unlike  in 
almost  every  particular,  went  their  several  ways  to 
work  out  the  problem  of  life  as  presented  in  the  phase 
of  another  day. 

How  differently  would  the  same  lesson,  conned  by 
each,  appeal  to  their  comprehension.  One  would 
accept  any  peculiar  experience  of  a  day  as  a  guide  or 
mark  for  future  use;  the  other  would  take  the  same  as 
a  point  at  which  to  dig  with  the  spade  of  reason,  and 


OUR    MABEL.  43 

pick  of  comparison,  for  the  deep  root,  Cause.  -For 
instance,  some  beggar  might  cross  their  path,  the  one 
man  would  only  take  cognizance  of  the  fact,  solilo- 
quizing, perhaps,  "  chronic  idleness,  lack  of  industry, 
a  sure  result."  The  other  would  consider  in  this  wise 
"a  beggar,  how  came  he  so?  What  law's  mysterious 
fulfillment  here?"      • 

Most  likely  he  would  take  him  kindly  by  the  hand 
out  of  the  sight  of  the  curious,  and  learn  his  story, 
the  revealment  of  which  always'  made  his  heart  ache 
in  the  realization  before  him  of  the  result  of  some 
laws  unfulfilled,  thrown  to  the  fulfillment  of  others. 

One  instance  out  of  many,  by  the  way  of  exemplifi- 
cation, for  the  student  of  the  laws  of  life,  no  day 
dawns  without  a  lesson  containing  a  new  truth,  or  some 
confirmation  of  the  old  in  another  phase.  One  spring 
time  there  passed  by  his  cottage  a  man  in  middle  life, 
whose  gait  was  weary,  while  dejection  and  hopeless- 
ness so  covered  him  that  the  words  seemed  written  in 
letter's  distinctness.  As  he  approached  Mr.  Tremaine 
accosted  him: 

"  I  say,  my  good  friend,  you  seem  a  stranger  here. 
May  I  ask  if  it  is  so  ? " 

One  quick  look  of  surprise  gave  the  stranger,  and 
then  another  whose  mute  appeal  was  never  to  be  for- 
gotten, yet  he  made  no  pretense  of  stopping. 

"  My  good  man,  stop  for  an  instant,  let  me  do  a 
neighbor's  part;  you  are  worn  and  tired,  come  in  and 
rest  awhile." 

Thus   brought  to  a  halt  he  again  looked  up  at  Mr. 


44  OUR    MABEL. 

Tremaine  in  wonderment,  then  putting  his  hand  to 
his  head  as  though  to  remember  whether  he  were 
dreaming  or  not,  said: 

"And  does  the  good  Samaritan  still  live?  " 
"  Why,  yes,  my  friend,  many  a  one  I  trust.7' 
The  man's  confidence  was  won  by  so  kind  a  man- 
ner, and  while  Mr.  Tremaine  had  set  forth  a  whole- 
some repast,  gave  his  name  as  Charles  Howe,  and 
answered  with  willingness,  though  with  a  modesty 
foreign  to  the  many  in  his  apparent  condition,  the 
leading  questions  Mr.  Tremaine  propounded.  Guid- 
ing him  on  to  forge tfulness  of  self,  interest  waxed  to 
astonishment,  and  astonishment  grew  into  pleasure  at 
the  finished  speech  and  beautiful  thought  of  the  man 
as  he  warmed  even  into  eloquence.  Soon,  however, 
the  new  found  friend  discovered  that  with  all  the 
flight  of  fancy  and  his  evidently  cultured  mind,  the 
stranger  possessed  scarcely  a  practical  idea. 

Ah!  here  is  the  point  for  the  pick  and  spade — here 
is  the  outgrowth  or  effect  of  some  cause.  The  law  of 
this  state  of  being  exists  in  the  fact  of  a  soul  com- 
bined with  a  body,  or  in  the  words  of  Paul,  "there  is 
a  spiritual  body  and  there  is  a  natural  body." 

Analogy,  experience,  thought,  teaches  that  a  certain 
amount  of  attention  and  care  is  due  to  both;  that  to 
neglect  either  will  mar  and  stunt  its  growth;  that  a 
proper  care  of  each  renders  one  soulful  and  healthy 
spiritually  and  physically.  One  must  do  a  certain 
amount  of  profitable  labor  to  accord  with  certain  laws 
in   this   mundane  sphere,  which   require   means   for 


OUR    MABEL.  45 

bread  and  meat,  house  and  home;  or  when  fortune, 
money  fortune,  favor  the  few  by  inheritance,  the  law 
is  just  as  stern  and  inexorable,  that  they  have  the 
faculty  to  judiciously  manage  and  preserve  the  same 
or  it  fails  them. 

This  man,  whose  story  Mr.  Tremaine  took  the 
trouble  to  authenticate,  was  reared  in  the  lap  of 
luxury — had  inherited  a  fortune  with  an  only  brother 
— had  lost  it  and  was  discarded  by  this  brother  as  a 
worthless  fellow 

From  earliest  childhood  he  had  developed  a  great 
love  of  books,  for  both  study  and  pleasure,  and,  gifted 
with  a  remarkable  memory,  his  parents  took  a  fond 
pride  in  the  boy,  encouraged  but  the  one  talent, 
not  realizing  that  riches  quite  ofcen  take  unto 
themselves  wings,  and  vanish  from  sight;  forgetful, 
too,  that  this  son  was  receiving  no  inheritance  by 
which  to  battle  with  life  should  the  wings  of  riches 
actually  grow. 

Thus  he  grew  up,  retiring  as  a  woman,  and  near  as 
trusting,  having  no  occasion  for  self-assertion,  there- 
fore becoming  incapable  of  it  while  living  upon  the 
utterances  of  those  he  worshipped  at  the  shrine  of 
learning.  Now,  here  he  is,  amenable  to  all  the  laws  of 
this  state  of  existence; — ignorant  of  most,  therefore 
unfulfilling,  suffering  of  necessity,  the  consequences 
of  fulfillment  and  non-fulfillment.  Bread  he  must 
have  to  sustain  his  body;  if  he  cannot  earn  it  he  must 
suffer  hunger;  clothing  he  needs  to  protect  and  warm; 
if  he  cannot   gain  them    he    must   suffer    the   need. 


46  OUK    MABEL. 

These  things  must  be,  whether  the  result  of  ignorance 
or  inheritance;  to  some  it  is  of  the  first,  and  to  others 
it  comes  through  the  latter. 

It  is  almost  needless  to  say  that  Mr.  Tremaine  took 
this  wayfaring  brother  by  the  hand,  and  rested  not 
till  he  had  helped  him  to  obtain  what  he  was  incapa- 
ble of  procuring  for  himself,  namely,  a  position  where 
his  one  talent  could  earn  the  material  necessities  of 
life. 

Ah!  Mr.  Tremaine,  the  "Golden  Kule  "  is  no  dead 
letter  within  your  heart,  nor  forgotten  that  "  New 
Commandment"  "Love  one  another."  Would  that 
the  multitudes  of  earth  could  sense  the  sweet  meaning 
of  that  divine  command;  that  each  soul  could  look 
upon  all  other  beings  as  one  great  brotherhood  and 
sisterhood  whose  ties  bind  as  closely  as  those  recog- 
nized in  blood. 

To  the  unthinking,  this  world  seems  only  full  of  sin 
and  evil.  To  the  keen  eye  of  love  and  charity  it 
is  filled  with  beauties  untold  and  marvelous,  and? 
startling,  as  it  may  seem,  its  very  evil  (evil  by  compar- 
ison) is  grand  because  of  results. 

Aye,  like  a  brood  of  hatching  chickens  are  the 
inhabitants  of  earth,  from  the  barely  fecundated  egg 
whose  want  of  proper  nurture,  as  condition,  makes  it 
abortive,  up  through  the  various  stages  of  shell  crack- 
ing to  the  fall  fledgling  just  stepping  out  from  its 
narrow  house,  exulting  in  the  freedom  and  pleasure  of 
life.  Some  chicks  of  earth's  brood  are  just  getting 
their  bills  through,  others  have  gotten  their  heads  out 


OUR    MABEL. 


47 


and  the  chipping  process  goes  on;  though  unpleasant 
to  see  or  to  be  in  the  way  of  the  crumbling  shells, 
(evils,  sins)  yet  the  soul  life  within  is  struggling  up 
through  such  manifestations  of  conditions,  to  attain 
its  native,  stern  demand  of  growth  and  freedom. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Odd  Tom  Joiner  had  gone  from  the  party  that 
night,  with  his  heart  full  to  the  brim  with  the 
thoughts  and  sensations  that  had  been  aroused  in  his 
soul,  while  one  refrain  kept  ringing  in  his  ears,  "All 
are  architects  of  fate,"  and  in  his  late  slumbers 
would  it  repeat  itself  continually. 

Arising  by  the  first  peep  of  day,  the  new,  yet  inde- 
finable desires  of  the  night  before  rushed  back  with 
redoubled  force,  and  pacing  to  and  fro  in  his  humble 
room,  he  resolved  to  know  what  meant  this  startling 
phase  of  himself. 

Taking  his  motto  of  the  night  before,  he  read  again : 
"  All  are  architects  of  fate  " — "  all  are  " — "  nothing 
useless  is  or  low " — walking  again  and  again  the 
length  of  his  little  room,  he  stopped  at  last  with 
firm  set  lips  and  glistening  eyes  and  said:  "That 
means  me;  I,  too,  am  an  architect;  I  will  build." 
Looking  upward,  with  an  earnest  speech  he  exclaimed: 
"  oh!  sainted  mother,  listen  now,  and  oh!  God.  record 
my  vow,  and  aid  that  I  build  then,"  "  strong  and 
sure,"  that  I  make" my  house  beautiful,  entire  and 
clean  "  where  even  Gods  may  dwell." 

Then  slowly  putting  on  his  hat,  he  started,  although 


OUR   MABEL.  49 

still  early,  for  the  duties  that  awaited  him,  repeating 
as  he  went,  u  Our  to-day's  and  yesterday's  are  the 
blocks  with  which  we  build." 

Those  who  meet  our  Tom  to-day  will  feel  that  some 
change  has  come  upon  him,  though,  perhaps,  unable 
to  give  it  a  definition.  A  manly  look  and  bearing 
has  grown  upon  him,  and  the  very  atmosphere  about 
him,  seems  clothed  with  force  and  will.  Awkward- 
ness has  flown  "  wi'"  the  night,  and  few  will  remember 
to  say,  "  Awkward  Tom  Joiner.  "  Such  is  the  influ- 
ence of  the  inner,  upon  the  outward  life.  A  craven 
nature  will  express  the  same  physically,  likewise  a 
noble  one. 

Our  Tom  was  awkward,  but  good-natured  and  honest, 
and  liked  for  all  his  awkwardness,  which  was  occa- 
sioned by  the  sincerity  and  conscious  aspiration  of  his 
soul,  without  the  knowledge  of  how  to  fitly  express  it. 
It  was  a  kind  friend,  who  revealed  him  to  himself. 

To  go  into  detail,  were  it  possible,  as  to  the  effect  of 
that  little  act  of  thouMitfulness  of  Mr.  Tremaine's? 
upon  all  its  recipients,  would,  perhaps,  be  of  no  par- 
ticular interest;  and  yet  that  little  deed,  yea,  a  great 
one,  brought  a  renewal  of  hope  and  courage  to  some 
hearts,  patience  and  new  revealings  to  others. 

Who  can  trace  its  whole  results,  a  point  of  time 
returned  to  by  many,  as  the  date  of  some  new  emotion, 
or  resolve;  to  some  a  wonderment  only,  until  a  revel- 
ation through  experience,  but  to  all  whether  con- 
sciously or  otherwise,  an  influence  which  in  degree 
must  do  its  work,  changing  in  degree  again,  the  chan- 
nel of  a  life. 


CHAPTER  TIL 

OTJR    MABEL     WITH     JENNIE"    AND    MAY    OSGOOD     AT     THE 
ACADEMY. 

By  the  fifteenth  of  September,  Mabel  found  herself 
domiciled,  with  May  and  Jennie  as  companions  and 
pupils,  in  the  establishment  of  Madame  Asterkoff, 
principal  of  the  "Academy  for  Young  Ladies"  in  Hay- 
den.  Refinement  and  culture  bespoke  themselves 
from  Madame's  face  and  bearing,  and  her  motherly, 
quiet  manner,  quite  won  the  girls  at  first  sight. 

In  the  first  days  of  excitement  from  change,  the  let- 
ters home  abounded  with  enthusiasm  and  pleasure. 
A  few  days  later  came  the  home-sick  ones,  but  finally, 
when  accustomed  to  the  system  and  punctuality  of  the 
Institute,  their  tenor  was  more  subdued  and  appre- 
ciative. Thus  the  months  rolled  on,  with  but  the 
ordinary  work  of  school  life  to  mark  their  transit. 

The  weekly  letters  received  at  Homer  by  the  two 
families,  were  important  events,  however,  to  the  wait- 
ing ones  in  each.  Mr.  Tremaine  often  finding  him- 
self at  the  Osgood  mansion,  while  both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Osgood  would  drop  in  upon  him,  to  exchange  the 
news  and  welfare  of  the  absent. 

These  girls!  what  a  world  of  cherished  hopes,  of 
trust  and  ambition,  lay  centered  in  their  young  hands, 


OUR    MABEL.  51 

as  all  unconscious  they  were  moulding  for  future 
fruition. 

Mabel's  letters  were  long  and  full  to  the  uncle  so 
dearly  loved,  keeping  him  posted  as  to  her  studies  and 
daily  progress.  "  For,"  she  said,  "  you  have  so  long 
taught  me  to  express  my  thought  to  you  in  all  my 
studies,  that  I  should  feel  lost  without  it;  besides,  it 
is  the  best  recreation  I  have,  for  then  I  am  at  home, 
as  of  old,  on  the  cushion  at  your  feet." 

At  another  time.  "  You  will  remember,  I  wrote 
you  last  week,  that  our  next  composition  subject  was 
'Silent  Influence;'  I  now  enclose  it,  as  usual,  for 
your  perusal  and  criticism."  As  it  is  apropos  just 
now,  let  us  reproduce  it  here: 


"  Our  subject  assumes  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
'  silent  influence,'  an  influence  that  people  exert  upon 
each  other,  with  no  directly  spoken  word.  At  first 
thought,  this  might  seem  almost  impossible,  but  the 
more  we  think  of  it,  the  more  convinced  we  become 
that  it  is  not  only  possible,  but  an  existing  fact. 

"  This  influence  is  exerted  and  felt  in  various  ways, 
with,  perhaps,  no  intention  of  the  parties  to  influence 
at  all,  and  generally,  I  think  with  no  knowledge  or 
thought  that  words,  looks  or  actions  do  perform  that 
office.  Sometimes  a  word  spoken  to  another  will  set 
us  thinking,  and  help  to  mould  our  thought;  some- 
times it  is  but  the  general  bearing  of  a  person,  living 


52  OUR   MABEL. 

up  to  his  own  principles  of  life,  a  presence  which 
we  feel,  and  which  has  its  effect  upon  us,  as  though 
taught  by  word  of  mouth. 

"  A  look  will  express  a  thought,  and  reveal  its- 
character,  disturbing  somewhat  the  waves  of  our  own 
thought  and  feeling.  A  noble  action  by  even  a 
stranger  done,  will  make  its  mark  and  do  its  work  up- 
on those  who  witness  it. 

"  When  quite  a  small  girl,  I  remember  going  into  a 
bakery  one  day,  on  the  floor  of  which  lay  a  penny.  I 
gave  it  no  particular  thought,  but  presently  a  little 
boy  came  in;  he  too  saw  the  penny,  at  first  with  sur- 
prise, and  then  with  a  look  of  pleasure.  Almost  in  the 
same  moment  his  countenance  changed,  and  he  drew 
himself  up  as  with  pride  and  scorn,  and  passed  the 
penny  by. 

"I  have  never  forgotten  that  day:  it  holds  its  in- 
fluence still,  for  it  taught  me  a  lesson  I  need  often  ap- 
ply, namely,  whether  I  resist  temptations,  or  do  a 
good  deed,  merely  because  I  have  been  educated  to  do 
so,  or  from  a  deeper  motive,  principle. 

"  Probably  there  is  no  person  who  cannot  recall 
many  such  silent  teachings.  To  bring  the  subject 
home,  how  necessary  does  it  become  that  we  guard 
well  our  secret  natures  ('  for  out  of  the  abundance  of 
the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh'),  that  they  be  pure  and 
true,  so  our  actions,  words  and  looks  may  speak  to 
others  in  the^r  influence  which  must  be  felt  in  the 
responsibility  we  cannot  shirk,  of  truth  and  honor,  if 
nothing  more." 


OUR   MABEL.  53 

We  will  not  attempt  to  follow  Mabel  and  her 
friends  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  a  three  years' 
term  at  school,  suffice  it  to  say,  that  they  enjoyed  it 
for  the  most  part,  and  keenly  relished  the  vacations  at 
home.  Of  course  they  had  their  ups  and  downs  of 
experience  usual  to  boarding  school  life.  For  there 
congregates  a  miniature  world,  with  its  varieties  of 
temper  and  disposition  of  thought  and  action,  develop- 
ing the  natural  results,  to  a  certain  extent,  that  ac- 
crues to  the  larger  world  outside  its  doors. 

May  and  Mabel  became  fast  friends,  though  as  un- 
like in  temperament  as  the  father  and  uncle,  yet  the 
tie  was  strong,  because  of  the  most  generous  type. 
May,  loving,  gentle  and  tender-hearted,  but  true  to 
the  last  degree  to  the  principles  which  animated  her, 
and  the  conceptions  based  upon  them,  which  came  to 
her  in  a  natural  progress  through  growth  of  mind  and 
body,  found  in  Mabel  an  inspiration  to  her  best 
thought  and  action.  Favored  child,  that  thus  the  inborn 
gifts  of  inheritance,  in  congenial  soil,  could  ripen  to 
their  legitimate  fruition,  carrying  as  she  does,  within 
her  young  organism,  the  frank,  generous  nature  of  the 
father,  and  loving  tenderness  of  the  mother  as  her 
inheritance  from  their  first  happy  and  trusting  days 
of  united  life.  Favored  child,  her  life  will  be  a  bless- 
ing to  others,  and  sweet  to  herself.  She  will  love  and 
be  beloved,  and  her  life's  problem  will  be  easier  to 
solve  than  that  of  many  others,  alas!  many  others. 
Her  life  should  be  long,  for  the  blood  in  her  veins 
will  course  more  equitably  than  the  heart's  blood  of 
many  another. 


54  OUK   MABEL. 

The  unthinking  world  will  bespeak  for  her,  meritr 
and  applaud  her  life,  which  though  beautiful  my  May, 
and  a  rest  to  the  weary  hearted,  and  needful  for  aye> 
is  but  a  rich  inheritance.  Flowers  only  are  put  in 
your  hand,  and  good  progenitors  have  witheld  many 
weeds.  Be  thankful,  and  praise  God,  and  only  thank 
Him  that  you  are  not  as  other  men,  that  you  may  use 
these  gifts  for  them,  acknowledging  their  receipt,  in 
trust  for  humanity. 

Mabel,  too,  finds  both  rest  and  growth  in  May's  com- 
panionship, though  the  stronger  nature  of  the  two-. 
She  also  possesses  an  inheritance  from  her  parents'  first 
fresh  love,  giving  to  her  much  of  a  sanguine  and 
happy  nature,  but  too,  she  inherits  a  reasoning  faculty 
that  will  lead  her  many  times  out  of  the  arms  of 
affection,  though  longing  for  its  company,  to  do  the 
deed  to  which  her  reasoning  conscience  points  as  duty; 
if  she  cannot  have  both  to  walk  together,  she  will 
suffer  the  loss  of  one  to  perform  the  other.  Some- 
thing of  Mr.  Tremaine's  insight  into  cause  and  effect 
with  his  philanthropy,  is  hers,  and  life  will  unfold 
many  a  swift  current  and  dangerous  eddy,  but  she 
will  breast  them  all  with  the  twin  and  magic  staff  of 
love  and  duty. 

On  the  threshold  of  womanhood  these  girls  plighted 
their  troth  of  a  friendship  which  was  to  entertain  a 
perfect  trust  under  all  circumstances,  until  by  word 
of  mouth  a  wrong  was  known,  to  put  in  practice  should 
it  ever  become  necessary,  that  charity  which  "be- 
lieveth  all  things,  endureth  all  things,  hopeth  all 
things  and  which  suffereth  long  and  is  kind." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SCHOOL    EXPERIENCE. TRIAL    OF    CHARACTERS. 

It  was  early  in  June,  and  the  school  year  was  draw- 
ing to  a  close,  when,  much  earlier  than  usual,  a  little 
knot  of  girls  had  gathered  in  the  school  room  to  re- 
hearse their  anticipations  for  the  future,  or  some 
reminiscence  of  school  experience  past.  Their  un- 
usual merriment  sent  out  attractive  peals  of  laughter, 
bringing  in  one  after  another  until  a  goodly  number 
of  girls  became  not  only  listeners,  but  sharers  in  the 
fun. 

In  the  morning  talk  at  the  opening  of  school  the 
day  before,  Madame  Asterkoff  had  reminded  the 
young  ladies  of  the  passing  time,  saying  a  word  to 
each  class,  according  to  its  advancement,  and  finally 
to  those  whose  last  school  year  this  was  to  be;  bade 
them  remember  that  school  life  and  discipline  is  but 
the  foundation  for  the  after  culture,  or  building  to  be 
erected  upon  it,  adding:  "  Whatever  you  have  made 
the  foundation,  strong  and  firm  or  loose  and  weak,  so 
may  you  judge  that  the  house  will  be,  either  secure 
against  wind  and  wave,  or  ready  to  shatter  at  the  first 
blast  upon  it,  that  cannot  stand  its  own,  but  must 
weakly  yield  its  place  to  the  first  stronger  influence 
that  comes  its  way.      I  wish  I  could  make  yon  com- 


56  OUR   MABEL. 

prehend  this  as  I  do  now,  for  then  it  seems  to  me  that 
some  of  you,  who  have  loosely  built,  would  go  over 
your  work  again,  and  strengthen  all  the  weak  parts  of 
a  foundation  insecure." 

It  was  this  lecture,  as  they  termed  it,  that  set  them 
going  with  busy  tongues  this  morning.  Clara  Bell 
had  said,  "  it  was  just  pokey  nonsense,  nothing  more. 
I  don't  believe  Madame  ever  was  a  girl,  or  if  she  was, 
she  couldn't  have  had  a  spark  of  life  or  fun  in  her.  I 
guess  she  was  '  borned '  an  old  woman,  as  little  Judy 


"  Yes,  and  just  think,  Bella,  of  having  to  go  over 
all  ones  studies  again,  just  to  make  that  wonderful 
foundation  of  hers,  so  sure  and  firm." 

"La!  Mollie,  can't  you  see  through  that?  She 
wants  to  make  some  of  us  feel  bad,  so  as  to  get  us  to 
come  back  again  and  build  a  little  more  foundation, 
but  for  my  part,  I've  got  enough  of  it;  and  I  don't 
need  any  more,  I'm  sure.  I  can  read  and  write  and 
spell,  and  what  if  I  do  forget  the  rules  of  grammar 
and  arithmetic,  a  girl  can  get  along  very  well  without 
them  and  nobody  be  the  wiser.  And  as  to  physiology, 
chemistry,  and  the  like  of  that,  why,  I  never  intend  to 
think  of  them  again." 

u  Oh!  Bella,  Bella,"  shouted  one  and  another. 

"  No,  I  don't,  and  no  more  will  you  my  line  young 
ladies." 

"Girls,"  said  Maria  Hop,  "Bella  is  right,  it  isn't 
respectable  for  ladies  to  know  too  much;  if  they  do 
they  become  so  horrid,  and  people  call  them  strong- 


OUR   MABEL. 


57 


minded,   and— and — the   gentlemen  won't  come  near 
them." 

A  peal  of  laughter  finished  this  speech,  when  an- 
other, Mary  Brooks,  chimed  in,  with,  "  Oh,  bother 
strong-mindedness,  and  foundations,  and  such  things, 
we'll  soon  be  free  to  do  as  we  please,  and,  then,  what 
a  delightful  time  we  shall  have  in  society,  we  shall 
have  plenty  to  think  of  too,  in  planning  our  dresses, 
and, — "  here  our  May  essayed  to  speak,  but  a  dozen 
voices  were  raised  with,  "  no,  no,  Miss  Prude,  your 
word  is  no  authority,  we  have  already  consigned  you 
to  a  minister's  lot,  where  you  will  be  just  in  place,  a 
very  obedient  little  creature,  my  dear." 

Just  then  a  voice  from  the  Madame's  platform 
startled  the  bevy,  but  it  was  only  Maria  Hop,  who, 
with  well  affected  mimicry,  held  forth — 

"  My  dear  young  ladies,  another  school  term  is 
drawing  to  a  close,  and  I  have  a  few  words  to  offer  on 
this  solemn  occasion,  a  word  of  warning  to  all. 

"  Some  of  you  will  yet  have  another  opportunity  to 
benefit  by  the  unsurpassable  advantages  of  this  insti- 
tution, and  I  hope  your  tender  consciences  will  improve 
each  golden  hour,  but  to  those  who  are  about  to  leave, 
•to  enter  not  again  these  privileged  halls,  how  shall  I 
express  the  weight,  the  great  weight  of  responsibility 
that  now  presses  upon  my  bosom.  Now  I  realize  that 
you  are  indeed  to  step  out  in  life  as  young  ladies,  and 
I  would  have  you  remember  under  all  circumstances 
to  have  your  foundation  secure;  from  that  of  your 
bonnet,  to  a  bow  to  your  gentleman  friend;  and  when 


58  OCR    3IABEL. 

you  receive  attentions  from  young  gentlemen,  as  you 
surely  will,  be  sure  to  smile  the  most  sweetly  upon 
such  as  have  good  foundations  for  a  living,  and  to  the 
one  whose  foundation  is  silver,  make  sure  to  be  mar- 
ried— ahem — I  believe  that  this  is  the  sum  and  sub- 
stance of  a  girl's  life,  as  I  see  it  through  my  spectacles, 
— and  now  I  bid  you  all  farewell." 

Mabel's  cheek  was  glowing,  and  her  eye  kindling 
with  a  tire  which  grew  intenser  with  every  word 
spoken;  almost  without  her  will,  and  before  she  was 
aware,  she,  too,  had  taken  the  teacher's  stand  with  a 
smile  and  attitude,  as  if  to  carry  out  the  farce,  but  the 
first  words  spoken,  subdued  by  their  earnestness,  the 
giddy  crowd  beofre  her. 

"  Companions,  schoolmates,  let  me  remind  you, 
how,  though  unmeditated,  you  are  wronging  one 
whom  we  all  love  and  respect,  whose  winning  patience 
has  captivated  us  all.  In  her  earnest  expressions  for 
the  future  of  her  scholars,  can  we  not  glean  the  idea 
that  in  her  vocation  and  experience  truths  have  come 
to  her,  which,  if  others  could  grasp,  and  cherish,  by 
any  means  that  she  could  bring  to  bear,  life  would 
grow  easier,  and  expand  more  truly  to  the  purpose  of 
the  Master,  than,  if  all  blinded  by  an  ignorance  which 
impels  to  an  experience  of  its  own — drops  the  hand 
that  could  guide  and  aid  it,  to  follow  oft  and  wearily 
its  own  ignis  fatuus.  The  words  of  our  Principal 
have  exacted  much  thought  from  me,  dear  school- 
mates; but  it  has  taken  a  different  form  from  that  ex- 
pressed this  morning,  and  which,  I  am  sure,  in  your 
soberer  moods  you  cannot  feel. 


OUR   MABEL.  5£ 

"My  thought  has  resolved  itself  into  this  question. 
Why  cannot  we  accept  the  experience  of  others  who 
strive  for  our  welfare,,  and  avoid  the  compulsion  of 
learning  for  ourselves  some  matters  of  life,  before  we 
can  attain  the  benefit  such  personal  experience  would 
bring  us?  Our  teacher  tells  us,  that  while  we  have 
the  opportunity  to  study  these  books  we  should  do  so 
effectually,  so  that  we  can  retain  the  facts  contained 
therein,  and  know  to  a  certainty  that  they  are  ours. 
Should  we  not  believe  then,  that  she  has  seen  and 
realized,  as  folly,  the  putting  aside  slightingly,  un- 
learned tasks,  while  trusting  the  future  to  cover  up  the 
loss.  I  can  imagine  many  a  moment  of  silence,  when 
longing  to  speak,  because  of  an  uncertainty  as  to 
facts." 

A  sudden  movement  among  the  girls  revealed  the 
fact  that  Madame  Asterkoff  was  present.  She  had 
entered  unseen  and  been  a  quiet  looker  on  and  listener 
to  Mabel's  speech,  which  was  so  abruptly  brought 
to  a  close  by  the  recognition  of  her  presence. 

With  blushing  face  Mabel  apologized  for  occupying 
and  speaking  from  the  platform,  saying  also,  that 
"  she  had  not  realized  how  late  was  the  hour." 

"  My  dear  child,"  said  Madame,  "  I  desire  no 
apology,  for  what  I  have  just  heard  from  your  lips, 
fully  compensates,  I  believe  to  us  all,  for  the  ten  min- 
utes of  tardiness  to  our  tasks." 

As  Mabel  was  taking  her  seat,  she  continued,. 
"  Young  ladies,  although  I  have  heard  nothing  but 
what  Miss  Mabel  has  said,  yet  from  the  tenor  of  her 


60  OUR   MABEL. 

words,  I  can  form  some  idea,  and  have  only  to  say 
myself,  that  I  should  think  that  you  had  not  only 
been  answered,  but  well  answered  upon  the  subject 
you  were  considering." 

"As  you  have  received  your  morning  lecture," 
looking  pleasantly  at  Mabel,  "  I  will  not  detain  you, 
and  we  will  proceed  at  once  to  the  duties  of  the  day." 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Tom     Joiner's     apprenticeship    to    Mr.    Jones, 
'builder,"  ceased  within  two  years  after  the,  to  him 
memorable  night  of  the  party. 

Soon  after  Mabel's  departure  for  school,  Tom 
ventured  to  call  upon  Mr.  Tremaine,  and  speak  of  the 
thoughts  and  aims  his  kindly  hand  had  aroused  in 
him,  and  to  ask  advice,  as  to  how  he  could  best  attain 
the  mental  culture,  he  now  so  ardently  desired.  Our 
good  Samaritan  failed,  not  in  this,  but  gave  direction 
to  the  study  and  reading  of  the  lad's  leisure  hours,  so 
that  when  his  apprenticeship  had  expired,  he  was 
fitted  to  enter  an  academy.  To  do  this  Tom  had 
counted  the  cost,  in  labor,  and  economy,  yet  seemed 
firm  in  his  resolve  to  overcome  all  obstacles,  and  win 
knowledge,  the  now  necessary  food  for  his  longing 
soul. 

After  much  anxiety  and  trouble,  he  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  country  school  to  teach,  for  a  three 
months'  term,  the  proceeds  of  which,  must  be  made  to 
take  him  through  his  own  first  academic  year.  So 
well  was  he  liked  by  the  scholars,  and  directors  of  his 
country   school,   that   at   the  close  of  his  first  term 


62  OUR   MABEL. 

among  them,  he  was  earnestly,  besought  to  return  the 
following  year.  With  this  piece  of  good  fortune,  he 
could  go  to  his  own  studies  with  a  mind  unburdened 
of  care,  provided,  he  unflinchingly  obeyed  his  purse, 
abiding  by  its  law. 

But  the  privations  and  struggles,  of  the  coming 
years,  we  may  not  fully  trace,  save  the  moulding  influ- 
ence had  upon  the  growing  man,  so  we  leave  him  to 
the  test,  whether  he  will  remain  firm  and  strong  in 
the  path  he  has  chosen,  or  grow  weak  and  vacillating 
of  purpose.  The  chariot  of  time  rolls  on,  on,  ruth- 
lessly sweeping  all  before  it,  with  no  compunction  or 
fear,  no  halting  or  tenderness  for  either  infancy,  youth, 
manhood  or  old  age. 

This  Universal  Father  slackens  not  in  his  pace,  or 
looks  once  behind,  upon  the  weakened  and  drooping, 
who  fall  out  of  place,  and  far  from  the  gaze  of  those 
whose  hands  they  have  dropped,  but  presses  onward 
still,  going  where,  where?  Aye,  Father  Time,  old  as 
thou  art,  cans't  thou  answer  where?  Nay,  with  all 
thy  years  upon  thee,  all  thy  hoarded  wisdom  light, 
thou  cans't  not  answer  where. 

Thou  may'st  lead  the  chariot  on,  but  the  innumer- 
able, myriad  voices  of  universal  nature's  combined 
experience,  can  alone  echo  back  the  answer,  where? 

Though  Father  Time  cannot  answer  where  to  indi- 
vidual souls,  yet  observation  and  age  have  taught 
him  to  smile  on  the  great  mortal  throng  as  upon  a 
band  of  little  children,  whose  goal  is  before  them;  of 
youth  and  manhood,   attaining  which,  perfect  exist- 


OUR    MABEL.  63 

ence  is  to  begin.  Larger  children  have  their  goals 
for  which  to  aim  and  work,  giving  purpose  to  life. 
Some  lie  on  this  side  earth's  portal,  because,  seeming 
of  more  certain  access,  and  others  reach  across,  behind 
the  vail,  that  shuts  the  future  from  our  eyes,  they 
with  more  of  hope,  and  faith  and  trust. 

But  time  knoweth,that  whatsoe'er  the  goal  may  be 
when  attained,  another  goal  springs  up,  and  tempts 
the  soul  and  lures  it  on,  mayhap  from  star  to  star  and 
sun  to  snn. 

Time  hath  to  do  with  our  Mabel's  and  Jennie's,  our 
Harry's  and  Walter's  and  Bob's,  softening  to  beauty 
arid  fullness  of  grace,  the  path  out  of  girlhood  to 
woman's  dear  place,  deepening  the  tone,  gentling  the 
heart  and  manner  of  boys,  while  stepping  aloft  to 
manhood's  high  throne. 

Deepens  the  furrows  on  mother's  dear  brow. 
And  lays  on  the  head  of  father's,  his  snow, 
He  tints  the  babe's  cheek  to  rose  of  the  morn, 
And  lends  to  the  youth  his  beauty  of  form. 

Clothed  in  dark  garments,  as  of  the  black  night, 
Lays  finger  and  hand  upon  the  first  born, 

Nor  heeds  the  cries  that  would  put  him  to  flight, 
Looks  steadily  on,  and  whispers,  re-born. 

In  chambers  of  love,  where  dwells  a  fair  bride, 
Glides  in  bright  garments  that  seem  but  divine, 

Whispers  so  softly,  no  hand  shall  divide, 
Save  coming  and  going,  that  which  is  mine. 

In  halls  of  the  rich  where  selfishness  dwells, 

Enters  unbidden,  a  guest  at  the  board, 
Of  those,  who  dream  not  his  fast  fleeting  spell,  , 

Shall  lay  in  the  dust  the  gold  they've  adored. 


64  OUK    MABEL. 

Lies  down  by  the  pauper,  whispers  of  hope, 

When  again  he  shall  mark  the  flight  of  years 
Daylight  of  plenty  to  his  eyes  shall  ope', 

To  the  past,  fling  back  all  miseries'  tears. 
To  homeless  and  sorrowing,  God's  sent  friend, 

Scattering  all  ills,  and  bringing  true  balm, 
Gives  flight  the  evil  that  seems  to  descend, 

And  lays  tired  hands  in  God's  tender  palm. 


CHAPTER  X. 

A  WEDDING — SEPARATION  AND  RE-UNION. 

Thus  time  lias  again  brought  us  to  the  early 
womanhood  of  "Our  Mabel,"  as  first  introduced  to  the 
reader.  The  attributes  of  person  and  manner  laid  at 
the  door  of  the  philosophy  of  her  nature,  make  her 
not  only  the  light  and  joy  of  the  loving  uncle,  but  a 
songht-for  and  devoted  friend  ;  a  light  in  the  social 
circle,  she  is  no  less  in  the  homes  of  the  poor. 

Home  duties  are  cheerfully  performed,  while  the 
outer  world  claims  a  goodly  portion  of  her  time,  and 
into  whose  pleasures  she  enters  with  a  zest  of 
real  enjoyment,  the  gift  of  her  health  and  youth.  She 
demands  of  Mr.  Tremaine  a  portion  of  time  each  day 
in  the  cozy  study  of  her  early  attachment,  where,  she 
says,  she  must  learn  her  catechism,  he  to  answer,  she 
to  question.  Thus,  was  formed  the  habit  of  a  daily 
consultation  upon  any  topic  of  interest  to  either  or 
both.  Many,  many,  were  the  questions  asked  upon 
the  various  topics  of  this  moving  generation,  and 
which  the  good  uncle  was  always  ready,  either  to 
answer,  or  discuss,  while  leading  and  strengthening 
her  to  think  and  decide  for  herself. 

Thus  grew  she,  strong  of  mind,  though  not  un- 
womanly of  character,  strengthened  and  prepared  at 


66        '  OTTR   MABEL. 

home,  for  the  battle  of  life,  to  succeed  these  sunny- 
days  of  youthful  trust  and  love.  It  had  now  been 
considerably  more  than  a  year,  since  she  with  May 
and  Jennie  Osgood,  had  dropped  the  role  of  school 
girls,  and  the  two  latter  had  been  away  from  home, 
visiting  family  relatives  in  a  distant  city  for  some 
months  past. 

It  was  already  November,  wThen  Mabel,  who  had 
kept  up  a  regular  correspondence  with  the  girls,  re- 
ceived a  joint  letter  from  them,  stating  their  early 
return  home,  somewhat  sooner  than  anticipated,  for, 
said  Jennie,  "  I  have  something  important  to  tell 
you,  'which,  is  why/  (this  important  matter,)  we 
come  home  sooner,  you  needn't  guess,  because  you 
can't — not  exactly."  And  May,  "oh,  Mabel,  how 
glad  am  I,  that  we  shall  meet  so  soon,  for  I  am  really 
tired  of  our  gay  life,  and  long  for  a  quiet  corner,  my 
hand  in  yours,  our  eyes  to  meet,  and  then  an  old-time 
chat — one  week  to-day,  and  all  well,  we  shall  meet 
again." 

Mr.  Tremaine  had  looked  up  from  his  book  at  a 
low  exclamation  from  Mabel,  while  perusing  her  let- 
ter, but  spoke  no  word,  until  she  at  length  exclaimed, 
"Oh!  Uncle,  the  girls  are  coming  home,  even  now 
may  be  on  their  way." 

"  Is  that  the  case  ?  they  come  earlier  than  they 
thought,  but  I  rejoice  for  your  sake,  Mabel,  you  need 
your  young  companions." 

Just  at  that  moment  hurried  steps  upon  the  piazza, 
and  hasty  knocks  at  the  door,  attracted  their  atten- 


OUR    MABEL.  67 

tion,  and  before  they  could  be  answered,  in  rushed 
May  and  Jennie,  almost  breathless,  and  full  of  enjoy- 
ment at  the  evident  surprise  they  were  giving — but 
in  answer  to  queries,  quickly  explained,  that  to  have 
the  company  and  assistance  of  an  acquaintance,  on 
their  journey,  they  had  "just  thrown  things  into  their 
trunks"  to  come  when  he  did. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Tremaine,  you  must  lend  us  Mabel  for 
a  little  while.  Mamma  told  us  to  hurry  back,  but  to 
get  her  to  come  and  stay  with  us  for  a  few  days." 

"  Well,  but—" 

"No  'well  huts '  for  us,  Miss  Mabel,  you  are 
coming,  that  is  settled." 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  Mabel  took  her  walk  alone  to 
the  Osgoods.  The  air  was  keen  and  bracing,  and  she 
wTalked  briskly  on,  enjoying  the  splendor  of  autumn's 
gay  crowns  of  bright  foliage  on  the  trees  which  lined 
the  streets  through  which  she  had  to  pass.  Indeed, 
one  could  not  go  amiss  of  trees  in  this  goodly  town, 
and  their  autumn  dress  was  the  pride  of  all  its  peo- 
ple. 

Engrossed  with  thoughts  which  the  inspiration  of 
the  hour  had  given,  Mabel  had  arrived  at  her  destina- 
tion before  she  was  fully  aware.  The  girls  were  in 
waiting  and  greeted  her  warmly,  as  also,  Mrs.  Osgood, 
who  had  come  to  claim  a  sort  of  mothership  to  the 
motherless  girl. 

The  hours  sped  by  as  they  always  do,  when  bright 
and  merry  girls  have  to  deal  with  them,  and  before 
the  end  of  three  days,  Mabel  not  only  had  learned 


68  OUR    MABEL. 

the  mysterious  and  wonderful  secret  which  she  must 
not  guess,  but  heard  it  fully  discussed  and  elaborated. 

During  their  few  months  of  fashionable  city  life,  the 
girls  had  been  recipients  of  much  attention  from  gen- 
tlemen of  the  society  in  which  their  relations  moved; 
and  one  among  them,  dashing,  gay,  impulsive,  had 
yielded  his  hearts  allegiance,  as  he  claimed,  ;  t  the 
shrine  of  Jennie's  "  mischievous  eyes,"  and  the  "  great 
catch  "  was  thus  lost  to  the  girls  with  managing  ma- 
ma's or  schemes  of  their  own. 

"  A  grand  match  "  said  the  world,  "  decidedly  fine. 
Cupid  was  wise  to  mate  two  beings  so  well  up  in 
the  social  world,  and  wealth  to  consummate  all." 

Of  course  Jennie  was  all  elate  with  the  prospect 
before  her,  and  the  excitement  of  preparations  to  be 
hastily  made,  as  the  impetuous  would-be  groom  had 
declared  against  long  engagements;  "  did'nt  believe 
in  them,  anyhow."  No,  the  noose  must  be  drawn  at 
the  earliest  possible  moment. 

So  the  elders  consenting,  three  more  months  would 
change  the  scene,  and  our  little  friend  Jennie  have 
assumed  the  role  of  mistress  to  a  line  establishment 
of  her  own.  What  wonder  that  fancy  conjured  up 
the  most  delightful  anticipations  of  luxury  and  ease> 
with  "  my  Harry  "  thrown  in. 

May's  quiet  manner  regarding  a  subject  of  such 
vital  interest  to  her,  almost  tempted  Jennie  to  think 
she  might  be  the  least  bit  jealous,  and  laughingly 
told  her  so  one  day,  and  got  for  reply. 

"No  Jennie,  not  in  the  least  jealous.     I  am  glad 


OUR   MABEL.  69 

you  are  so  happy,"  and  satisfied  with  that,  the  gay- 
hearted  girl  absorbed  herself  again  in  the  dainty  bits 
of  work  she  had  chosen  for  her  own  handiwork. 
.  Dear  child,  little  dost  thou  dream  that  thy  sister 
holds  in  her  heart  a  fear,  as  yet  undefined  to  her  own 
mind  and  thought,  yet  that  which  causes  her  to  think 
of  the  mansion  of  bright  visions  to  thy  soul,  as  the 
doubly  barred  cage  to  confine  the  brightest  of  birds. 
May  had  heard  her  mother  express  her  satisfaction  at 
the  match,  and  her  father  to  say,  "  Well,  well,  I 
suppose  the  girl  kncws  her  own  heart  best,"  so  half 
ashamed  of  the  feeling  she  possessed,  kept  it  hidden 
within  herself,  until  with  Mabel  one  day  she  gave  it 
vent,  saying,  she  "  presumed  it  was  all  nonsense,  and 
very  foolish  of  her." 

Mabel  hoped  there  was  no  foundation  in  fact  for 
such  fears,  but  like  Mary  of  old  "pondered  in  her 
heart "  which  led  her  to  wonder  if  marriage  of  their 
children  was  a  matter  in  which  parents  really  had  no 
voice  of  advice,  only  a  recognized  part  of  the 
machinery  to  the  end  thereof,  ending  with,  "uncle 
and  I  must  talk  that  out  the  very  first  opportunity." 

Meanwhile  Mabel  was  much  in  demand,  and 
was  to  assist  at  the  marriage  ceremony.  The  wedding 
came  off  at  the  time  appointed,  and  was  the  grandest 
affair  that  Homer  had  ever  witnessed.  Friends  and 
relatives,  from  near  and  far,  came  to  be  present  at  the 
launching  of  another  pair  into  the  troubled  waters  of 
life.  The  wedding  guests  all  gonef  and  the  new  made 
husband  and  wife  having  departed  on  their  journey 


70  OUR   MABEL. 

"  till  death,"  Homer  again  settled  down  to  its  every 
day  life. 

We  may  be  sure  that  May,  with  her  father  and 
mother,  keenly  felt  the  loss  of  the  gay  and  bright 
spirit  that  had  plumed  its  wings  and  flown  to  another 
nest  than  theirs.     But  May  said, 

"  Mabel,  we  must  be  sisters  now." 

"Yes,  and  daughter  too,"  said  Mr.  Osgood,  witli 
glistening  eye. 

"Already  adopted,"  whispered  his  wife,  as  she 
folded  her  in  a  loving  embrace. 

Mabel  gaily  replied,  "  I  surely  must  kiss  my 
father  and  mother,"  and  brought  back  the  smiles  that 
had  near  been  lost  in  that  moment  of  sadness. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

UNCLE   TREMAINE's   VIEWS    OF    MARRIAGE. 

"  Now  uncle,"  said  Mabel,  "  do  you  know  what  we 
must  discuss  this  morning?  no,  perhaps  not  discuss, 
but  what  I  want  to  have  you  talk  to  me  about? 
Of  course  you  don't,  you  dear  old  uncle,  how  could 
you.  You  will  smile  when  I  tell  you  my  theme, 
but  then  there  was  never  a  sting  in  any  smile  of 
yours." 

"  Well,  well,  my  Mabel,  what  wonderful  question 
have  you  purposed  now  to  stagger  me  with." 

"  Marriage,  uncle,  from  beginning  to  end." 

"  Have  you  caught  the  fever  Mabel,  and  taken  this 
way  to  entrap  an  old  man  into  a  complete  sub- 
mission?" 

'No  indeed!  I  want  to  know  a  great  deal  more 
about  it  before  I  take  such  a  wide  leap." 

"  But  you  know  I  was  never  a  married  man." 

"Yet  that  does  not  hinder  you  from  having 
opinions,  yes,  and  knowledge  too  upon  that  subject. 
Come  uncle,  come  out  and  show  your  colors." 

"How  shall  I  begin?" 

"Perhaps  I  had  better  tell  you  what  set  me  to 
thinking  on  the  subject;  but  I  must  speak  of  Jennie's 
marriage." 


72  OUR    MABEL. 

"  You  know  hers  was  rather  a  hasty  affair  from 
engagement  to  marriage."  "  Friends  seemed  delighted 
at  so  splendid  a  match,  and  through  them,  with  some 
previous  knowledge  of  the  high  social  standing  of  the 
young  man's  family,  and  believing  that  Jennie  had 
really  fallen  in  love,  Mrs.  Osgood  had  but  little 
hesitation  in  confirming  her  choice,  and  Mr.  Osgood 
assented,  I  think,  partly  because  his  wife  thought 
favorably  of  it,  and  again,  because  as  he  said  he  did'nt 
know  much  about  women's  hearts.  He  wanted  her 
to  be  happy,  and  free  in  her  choice,  and  supposed 
she  was  the  best  judge  of  what  her  heart  required. 
Then  I  began  to  wonder  at  it  all,  and  whether 
parents  really  have  no  right  to  help  their  children's 
judgment,  but  should  leave  it  all  to  what  they  call 
'  blind  love.'  Plainly,  to  my  eye,  Mr.  Osgood  does 
not  feel  exactly  easy  about  this  marriage,  though  he 
tries  to  think  that  he  has  done  all  he  could  for  his 
child.  May  does  not  feel  perfectly  happy,  for  she 
says,  that  try  as  she  ma}7,  there  is  an  undefined  and 
as  yet  shapeless  fear  regarding  it,  that  makes  her  feel 
that  her  sister  is  only  entering  a  beautifully  gilded 
cage.  With  her,  I  try  to  put  that  idea  away,  and 
hope  that  the  sadness  of  parting  is  alone  its  cause." 

"  Mabel,  you  have  propounded  a  serious  question, 
indeed,  and  one  that  is  exercising  the  best  minds  of 
to-day,  for  so  many  problems  rise  up  to  confront  one 
seeking  for  truth,  through  cause  and  effect,  and  there 
are  so  many  causes  and  their  consequent  effects,  that 
one  may  well  be  puzzled.     Marriage  should  be  indeed 


OUR    MABEL. 


73 


■a  holy  tie,  so  holy  that  every  precaution  for  its  safety 
and  the  continued  purity  of  a  first  strong  love,  should 
be  taken  in  advance,  and  every  test  applied,  so  far  as 
possible. 

"  Although  we  are  progressing  in  knowledge  and 
have   attained    many     facts     which    suggest    varied 
theories  to  differing  minds,  yet  I  do  not  suppose  any 
mortal  of  the  present  time  can  quite  comprehend  and 
lay   down   laws   for   the   mysteries   of  physical   life. 
Physical  life  is  of  itself  a  problem,  and  one  which  the 
world   at   large   is   apt   to   consider   apart   from   its 
algebraic  connection  with  spiritual  life,  which  when 
calculated  upon,  gives  more  of  study,  and  yet  which 
to   my   mind,   presents    the   key  to  this  human  and 
divine  sum  of  life.     As  I  believe  that  nature  and  God 
hold  no  mysteries  in  reality  from  men,  only  so  far  as 
through  their  ignorance  and  undesire  for  truth  they 
have  kept  their  eyes  blinded  to  plainly  spoken  expres- 
sions, and  ears  unattuned  to   their  beckoning  sounds, 
and  lips  unaccustomed  to  the  breath  of  communion 
with  God,  through  his  avenues  of  nature,  so  I  believe, 
that  the  time,  though  distant,  will  come  when  God's 
works  and  plans  revealed  through  nature's  laws,  will 
be  unto  men  as  an  open  volume,  and  mystery  a  word 
not  known  within  its  pages.     Then  law  and  God,  God 
and  law  shall  become  synonyms  for  the  expression  of 
perfection   in   every   department   of  the  universe  of 
life. 

"  That  so  many  unhappy  marriages  exist  to-day,  is, 
to  my  mind  the  result  of  ignorance  of  laws  hereditary, 


74  OUR  MABEL. 

laws  physical  and  those  of  psychology,  and  also 
ignorance  of  the  parties  themselves  as  to  their  real 
needs  which  they  thus  blindly  seek.  1  perceive  that 
J  shall  have  some  difficulty  in  presenting  my  ideas, 
but  I  am  thankful  that  naught  will  prevent  you  from 
seeking  for  truth  from  whosesoever  lips  it  may  fall;, 
and  now  that  your  mind  has  begun  its  questionings 
upon  this  subject,  it  is  time  to  speak  quite  plainly, 
though  it  may  be  like  the  blind  leading  the  blind, 
with,  perhaps,  amid  the  stumbling,  a  firm  step  here 
and  there. 

u  One  thing  let  us  not  lose  sight  of,  as  we  pursue 
our  subject,  and  which  at  least  ought  to  make  us 
charitable  and  unjudging  of  the  acts  of  others,  namely, 
that  the  instinct  of  every  soul,  though  undefined  to 
itself,  is  with  unerring  certainty  struggling  through 
conditions  of  every  kind  and  nature,  to  attain  its 
highest  and  best  expression.  Condition  of  circum- 
stances may  warp  it,  condition  of  birth  all  but  stran- 
gle it,  yet  there  it  is,  unseen  but  to  the  close  observer 
here,  and  the  great  God,  through  whose  fulfilling  laws 
it  suffers,  and  through  whose  fulfilling  laws  again,  it 
shall  at  last  stand  free  of  shackles,  to  acknowledge 
and  adore  the  justice  of  a  God  whose  laws  are  of  love. 
There  are  marriages  of  convenience,  to  keep  property 
in  a  family,  to  continue  family  name  and  hereditary 
rights,  for  a  home,  to  escape  if  possible  the  burdens 
of  life.  To  have  one's  house  attended  to  and  ward- 
robe kept  in  order,  and,  too,  as  you  say,  for  the  eclat  of 
making  from  a  worldly  point  of  view,  a  fine  match. 


OTJK    MABEL. 


75 


"There  are  also  marriages  resultant  from  strong 
physical  attractions  alone,  which  the  young  mistake  so 
often  for  that  eternity  abiding  soul  love.  We  can 
but  pity  such  when  the  awakening  day  shall  come,, 
when  physical  attraction  has  spent  all  its  fires,  and  no 
kindred  spirit  is  found  to  exist  between  the  parties 
thus  tied  for  life  before  man's  laws.  Sometimes 
a  fearful  passion  of  an  hereditary  nature  mars  the 
peace  and  steals  the  crown  from  off  the  marital  brow. 
Sometimes  there  is  no  physical  mating,  while  perhaps 
the  ideality  and  spiritual  perceptions  of  the  one  is 
mate  for  the  other,  and  has  been  the  sole  attraction  j 
then  can  there  be  no  true  marriage.  To  another,  the 
spiritual  love  has  been  revealed  through  the  physical, 
while  perhaps  the  partner  of  such  union,  perceives 
naught  but  the  physical  portal  still.  Temperament 
asserts  itself  fully  when  the  excitement  and  pleasure 
of  wooing  and  courtship  have  passed  away,  unwind- 
ing the  eyes  that  were  glamoured  thereby.  And  still 
another  fruitful  cause  of  unhappiness,  and  distrust 
leading  to  discord,  is  the  assumption  of  a  garb  of 
dignity  (that  would  not  have  been  tolerated  in  the 
wooing  days),  which  reuders  one  too  proud  to  stoop 
to  the  then  common  courtesies,  when  the  wife  was  a 
miss,  and  the  husband  a  young  man  of  favor. 

"Thus  the  ready  chair,  the  answering  smile,  the 
approving  nod,  the  '  thank  you,'  '  my  darling,'  '  my 
dear,'  and  the  very  kiss  to  seal  it  with,  walks  straight 
out  of  the  honeymoon's  door,  as  second-hand  clothes 
that   some   one   else   may  wear.     Yet  each  heart  in 


76  OUR    MABEL. 

silence  will  long  for  such  tokens  and  grieve  at  their 
loss,  while  each  day's  restraint  and  reticence  therein, 
swells  a  false  pride  and  makes  what  in  the  first  loving 
days  was  spontaneous  and  full  of  soul,  a  hard  thing  to 
compass;  and  so  the  pride  gains  strength,  the  hearts 
hunger  and  suffer  on,  full  of  wonderment  why  life  has 
grown  to  be  such  a  blank,  when  it  opened  so 
gloriously. 

"  Strange  mortals  that  we  are,  so  slow  to  learn  that 
the  more  we  love,  the  more  we  can  love,  and  the  more 
endearments  we  give,  the  more  we  are  capable  of 
giving;  for  this  mine  of  wealth  founded  by  God,  when 
duly  worked  upon,  brings  up  treasure  after  treasure 
of  more  and  more  worth.  Did  we  not  see  some 
glorious  exceptions,  and  meet,  occasionally,  the  truly 
wedded,  truly  all  hope  for  better  things  might  well 
die  out.  The  items  I  have  mentioned  are  but  bare 
instances  of  some  of  the  causes  leading  to  unhappy 
marriages,  for  they  are  manifold,  and  intricate  as  a 
cobweb,  as  one  condition  runs  into  and  affects 
another,  seeming  to  cross  and  recross  each  other, 
and  thereby  annulling,  apjDarently,  God's  own  laws,  in 
reality,  but  the  result  of  man's  own  sin,  for  ante-natal 
causes  are  legion-named,  which  affect  both  the 
physical  and  spiritual  being  of  man. 

"  To  my  mind,  then,  a  true  marriage  is  a  perfect 
mating  of  two  beings  physically  as  well  as  spiritu- 
ally— spiritually  as  well  as  physically.  Though 
believing  this,  I  do  not  see  how  any  rule  or  plan 
can  be  laid   down  whereby  all  persons   may  be  gov- 


OUR    MABEL.  77 

erned  to  the  attainment  of  such  an  end.  Occasionally 
we  see  almost  a  heaven  on  earth,  which  serves  to 
heighten  our  ideas,  producing  a  better  standard  in 
our  minds  as  to  what  married  life  should  he.  But  I 
am  reminded  that  this  life  of  earth  is  not  heaven,  and 
that  the  just  mentioned  oases  are  the  glimpses  given 
here  of  the  perfection  beyond,  to  those  who  have 
attained  to  such  a  reward,  just  as  the  few  are  blessed 
who  have  attained  it  here." 

"Why,  Uncle!  You  speak  as  if  you  believed  there 
is  marriage  in  heaven;  the  common  idea  is  that  there 
is  no  marriage,  or  giving  in  marriage,  after  death." 

"  I  see  no  reason  to  doubt  it,  for  so  far  as  I  have 
been  able  to  learn,  a  perfect  life  of  any  kind  is  dual, 
having  its  male  and  female  characteristics;  true,  there 
may  be  no  '  giving  in  marriage,'  for  I  judge  no  laws 
of  compulsion  exist,  and  the  union  of  souls  is  so 
natural  and  true  that  no  one  stops  to  question  of 
rites." 

"  How,  uncle,  are  you  going  to  account  for  the 
majority  of  marital  ties  under  the  ban  of  unhappi- 
ness  in  a  variety  of  degrees?" 

"  As  before,  through  nature's  laws  hereditary,  and 
the  soul's  need;  all  do  not  suffer  alike,  or  from  the 
same  causes;  what  to  one  soul  is  keenly  felt,  another 
would  not  feel  at  all,  and  vice  versa.  Thus,  after  all, 
the  condition  of  suffering  or  happiness  rests  in  the 
soul's  development,  as  I  contend,  up  through  the 
vicissitudes  of  this  sphere  of  life,  as  experienced  from 
our  remote  ancestry  up  to  present  time.     I  believe, 


78  OUR   MABEL. 

too,  that  every  soul  must  and  will  have  its  own 
individual  experience  and  knowledge  for  itself,  though 
it  leads  through  hells  to  the  attainment;  and  there  be 
those  who,  by  reason  of  nature's  fulfilling  laws,  take 
their  pathway  through  hells,  that  the  dross  of  their 
being  be  purged  as  by  fire.  Through  no  personal 
credit  do  others  pass  more  easily  on,  not  tempted  to 
the  worst  forms  of  sin,  but  meeting  with  experiences 
peculiarly  their  own,  through  which  nature  and  God 
hath  decreed  they  must  pass;  and  so  on,  no  two 
mortals  can  have  the  same  experience  or  knowledge. 
I  do  not  need  all  of  my  grandparents'  experience,  or 
that  of  my  parents,  for  as  it  were,  much  that  they 
gained  in  knowledge  of  life  is  engrafted  through 
intuition's  keen  sense,  upon  my  own  tree  of 
life;  therefore  I  need  my  own  experiences  suitable  to 
my  own  wants  and  needs  of  soul." 

"Then  there  seems  no  help,  uncle,  for  unhappy 
conditions  here;  people  must  go  on  plunging  blindly 
into  what  may  or  may  not  prove  haj^iness,  a  mere 
luck  which  it  then  is." 

"  Yes,  Mabel,  just  so,  until  that  almost  forgotten 
command,  to  'Know  thyself,'  is  obeyed;  then,  and  not 
until  then,  will  a  more  perfect  happiness  dawn  upon 
the  world.  We  look  about  us  and  note  with  criticism, 
the  faults  and  failings,  or  virtues  of  our  fellow  beings, 
until  our  eyes  become  detectives,  and  quickly  per- 
ceive, in  our  bigoted  opinon,  what  the  necessary  pun- 
ishment or  reward  should  be,  and,  left  to  ourselves, 
would  hurl  it  forward  with  no  ear  for  the  cry  for 
mercy,  or  the  voice   of  justice. 


OUR   MABEL. 


79 


"  But  for  our  own  faults  we  have  no  eyes,  while 
claiming  merit  for  the  discovery  of  those  in  others. 
Of  our  own  true  motives  we  also  know  almost  nothing, 
but  those  of  our  neighbor  are  mirror  bright;  of  aim  and 
aspiration  we  know  still  less  and  seldom  give  our  friends 
even  the  advantage  of  such  a  credit.     How  much  less, 
then,  do  we  know  or  care  for  our  inheritance  of  body 
and  spirit,  of  what  quality  of  mind  we  should  stimu- 
late to  better  growth,  and  what  weed  out  entirely,  and 
keep   weeding  out    until   the    spirit   within  us   that 
perceives  the  necessity  for  such  weeding,  has  overcome 
its  enemy,  or  the  physical  has  been  dropped  to  leave 
the  spirit  free  from  the  shackles  of  temptation  ?     How 
seldom   does  one  stand  still  to  say, '  here  am    I,  the 
inheritor  of  such  a  body;  it  is  not  a  perfect  one;  it  is 
frail  here;  can  I  strengthen  this  portion?  I  will  try; 
it  is  not  well  developed  in  any  part;  can  I  aid  in  that? 
I  must  and  will.      Now  my  spirit   tendencies;  I  ac- 
knowledge to  myself  that  I  am  querulous  and  fault  find- 
ing; can  I  not  learn  to  grow  quiet  and  close  my  mouth? 
But  with  all  I  enjoy  being  generous;  I  love  to  give  to 
others;  yet,  I  somehow  perceive  that  there  is  some- 
thing more  than  that.     I  will  carry  that  trait  further 
and  be  generous  with  what  seems  to  be  the  failing  or 
faults  of  others.     I  will  try  to  find  some  reason,  char- 
itable to  their  actions,  which  urges  on  and  causes  them 
to  clo  thus  and  so.     I  am  a  little  too  trustful  of  all 
classes  of  people;  let  me  be  on  my  guard  that  I,  by 
my  own  acts,  become  not  the  temptation  or  stumbling 
block    to   a  weaker    brother;   not    trustful    enough 


80  OUK    MABEL. 

of  human  nature;  then  must  I  strive  to  put  more  faith 
in  the  general  goodness  of  act  and  intention  of  my 
fellow  beings,  and  not  so  much  believe  they  have  a. 
selfish  purpose  in  all  they  say  and  do ! 

"  '  I  begin  to  realize  that  I  actually  know  nothing  of 
myself,  for  now  that  I  begin  to  look  within,  I  am 
constantly  surprised  at  demonstrations  of  character  I 
really  did  not  dream  that  I  possessed.  With 
all  my  failings  I  love  humanity,  and  would  see  it  grow 
to  a  more  perfect  and  beautiful  life,  and,  although  it 
seems  but  little  that  I  can  do,  comparatively,  in  a 
work  so  vast,  yet  I  desire  to  do  that  little,  and  it  may 
be  the  loving  God  of  law  and  order  will  not  consider 
it  small,  when  it  is  the  utmost  that  my  body  physical 
and  my  body  spiritual  can  accomplish  on  this  earth: 
for  I  shall  not  be  working  alone  for  the  perfection  and 
freedom  of  self,  but  for  that  of  those  who  may  be  of 
me,  to  whom  shall  be  handed  down  some  result  of 
my  labor  as  an  inheritance.' 

"Now,  Mabel,  take  one  woman  awakened  thus  to  a 
high  aim  of  life,  and  a  specimen  of  manhood  to  the 
same,  and  suppose  the  case  of  attraction  between 
them,  both  believing  in  and  practising  self  control  for 
the  same  purpose,  do  you  not  believe  that  the  chil- 
dren of  such  an  union  would  have  somewhat  nearer 
perfect  bodies,  and  better  condition  of  minds?  Then 
let  us  suppose  that  while  children  still,  these  parents 
instil  their  habits,  and  ideas  of  soul  and  body 
growth,  to  their  offspring,  who  shall  be  an  improve- 
ment upon  the  parent,  and  who  in  their  turn,  should 


OUR    MABEL. 


81 


they  be  able  to  obtain  partners  of  a  like  aim  and  be- 
lief, would  hand  down  a  better  inheritance  still  to 
their  children,  and  so  on." 

"Even  one  parent  so  imbued,  can  take  a  long  step 
toward  the  improvement  of  oar  race.  But  the  diffi- 
culty is,  that  those  who  give  thought  to  these  things 
are  few  and  far  between,  yet  we  have  the  few,  and  the 
humanitarian's  hope  is  that  the  little  leaven  will, 
eventually,  leaven  the  whole  lump." 

"I  think,  uncle,  I  get  your  ideas;  but  I  want  to  ask 
one  question  about  the  hells  you  speak  of  as  a  neces- 
sity to  some,  and  of  lesser  sins,  or  '  not  the  worst 
form  of  sin.'  If  it  is  a  necessity  for  souls  and  bodies 
to  pass  through  hells  and  sins  on  earth,  as  I  under- 
stand you,  for  the  souPs  development,  and  growth  to 
something  better,  why  do  we  call  it  evil  and  sinV 

"  Yes,  I  must  explain  myself.  I  use  these  terms 
because  they  are  the  means  of  comparison  commonly 
used,  to  express,  by  the  world  at  large,  a  certain 
condition  or  state  of  humanity.  When  wTe  use  the 
words  sin  and  evil,  they  at  once  call  to  mind  some- 
thing not  up  to  our  standard  of  good  and  happiness; 
sin  or  evil  which  may  be  bad  or  worse  according  to 
our.  means  of  comparison,  as  good,  better,  best  are 
comparatives  of  goodness  and  happiness.  What 
appears  evil  to  one  man  has  no  such  appearance  to 
another,  whose  standard  is  below  that  of  the  former^ 
because  he  has  not  outgrown  his  own  lower  condition, 
though  it  is  the  condition  suitable  for  his  present 
state  of  progress,  though  you  and  I  would  be  apt  to 


82  OUR   MABEL. 

say,  like  the  little  girl  the  other  day,  that  it  is  the 
'  worsest  kind.'  A  man  addicted  to  his  cnps  finds  a 
certain  pleasure  which  a  temperate  man  would  shun 
as  anything  but  pleasure.  And  you  will  see,  as  you 
ponder  more  on  these  things,  that  it  is  the  condition 
of  growth,  of  soul  and  body,  that  pleasures  and  evils 
appeal  as  such  to  individual  comprehension. 

"But  come,  Mabel,  this  will  not  do;  our  talking 
time  was  up  long  since,  you  must  try  to  carry  out 
some  of  your  old  uncle's  notions  by  taking  your 
accustomed  exercise,  for  the  sake  of  your  bodily 
growth,  my  dear."  And  the  uncle  patted  the  soft 
hair,  and  kissed  the  sweet  lips  instantly  pleading  for 
the  same. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


TEN   YEARS   LATER. 


Dear  reader,  cross  with  me  a  ten  years'  bridge  of 
time,  to  find  ourselves  within  a  large  and  growing 
city,  whose  means  of  wealth  bespeaks  itself  in  its 
busy  commerce  with  surrounding,  and  even  distant, 
parts  of  country,  through  its  foundries,  manufactories, 
milling  and  shipping  interests. 

Amid  the  thousands  of  honres  centered  here,  is  one 
whose  splendor  dazzles  even  the  eyes  of  fashion's 
votaries.  Its  mistress,  a  pale  and  delicate  woman, 
would  be  called  beautiful,  were  she  painted  with  the 
color  of  health.  Seated  now  in  her  luxuriant  chamber 
she  is  gazing,  apparently,  into  vacancy,  but  a  mo- 
ment's observation  shows  that  her  mind's  eye  is  far 
away,  dwelling  upon  some  other  scene  than  this, 
while  a  fallen  book  rests  upon  the  floor  at  her  feet. 

A  knock,  and  the  entrance  of  her  maid  announcing 
an  intimate  friend  (?)  aroused  her  from  her  reverie. 

"  No,  Marie,  tell  her  she  must  excuse  me,  for  I  can 
see  no  one  to-day." 

With  a  look  of  surprise,  but  in  silent  obedience, 
the  girl  went  to  do  as  she  was  bid. 

A  new  light  came  to  the  lady's  eyes  as  she  sprang 
to  her  feet  and  locked  the  door  after  the  girl. 


84  OUK   MABEL. 

"  No!  I  cannot  bear  it  to-dav.  I've  had  enough  of 
that  woman's  prating  about  how  fortune  has  favored 
me,  how  happy  I  must  be  with  '  everything '  at  my 
command,  and  so  on  endlessly." 

"Everything,  indeed!  as  if  all  a  woman  could 
want,  or  understand,  is  a  fine  house,  plenty  to 
eat  and  wear,  and  a  carriage  to  ride  in ;  and  if  I  hint  that 
something  more  is  necessary  to  a  perfect  happiness, 
she  answers:  'My  dear,  you  have  every  comfort  pos- 
sible, and  you,  above  others,  should  be  content  and 
happy;'  and  as  for  anything  else,  she  continually 
repeats,  '  well,  you  know  that  it  is  woman's  lot  to 
suffer,  men  will  do  and  have  their  own  way;  it  is 
their  nature,'  and  sighs,  '  I  suppose  God  made  the 
difference,  and  we,  as  weaker  vessels,  must  not  com- 
plain.' God  made  the  difference,  indeed!  I'm  sick 
and  tired  of  the  trash!  and  if  other  women  like  it,  I 
don't.  To  be  told  continually,  and  sarcastically, 
too,  as  Harry  did  this  morning,  that  '  women  were 
only  made  for  pets  and  playthings  for  we  men.'  Yes! 
and  to  be  really  thrown  on  the  floor  and  into  a  cor- 
ner like  a  veritable  doll,  there  to  stay  until  the  owner 
shall  be  in  the  mood  to  play  again!  " 

The  pale  cheeks  were  full  of  color  now  as  she 
slackened  her  quick  pace  about  the  room,  and  then 
stopped  to  exclaim.  "Oh!  why  is  it,  that  Harry  and  I 
are  so  changed.  " 

Another  knock  on  the  door  was  unanswered,  and  still 
another  before  she  opened  it,  to  hear  that  there  was 
a  lady  in  the  parlor  who   would  not  go  away,  though 


OUR    MABEL.  85 

told  that  the  madame  could  see  no  one  to-day,  "  and 
did  not  want  to  send  her  card,  but  called  me  back  to 
hand  you  this." 

The  mistress'  cheeks  paled  again  as  she  read  "  Ma- 
bel." 

"Marie,  tell  her  no;  stop,  stay  a  moment  outside 
until  I  give  you  an  answer,"  and  retiring  once  more 
behind  the  closed  door  she  exclaimed,  "  What  shall  I 
do?"  If  I  refuse  to  see  her,  mother  and  father  will 
hear  it,  and  then  they  will  think  something  is  wrong, 
though  I  have  striven  so  hard  to  blind  them  to  any 
such  suspicion.  Yes,  I  must  see  her  dear  face  and 
play  the  hypocrite  with  my  masked  one;  but,  oh,  dear 
(looking  at  the  mirror),  she  will  see  how  thin  I  am, 
the  old  time  Jennie  all  gone.     Well,  it  must  be." 

"Marie,  ask  the  lady  up  to  my  room." 

"What  wonder  next,"  soliloquized  the  maid; 
"her  intimate  friend  the  madame  will  not  see  at  all, 
and  the  stranger  is  to  be  shown  to  her  room." 

"Ah,  Marie,  does  not  even  your  maiden  heart 
catch  some  tones  from  the  symphonies  of  other 
hearts?" 

Hasty  feet  answered  quickly  the  summons  "up 
stairs,"  and  the  next  moment  Mabel  and  Jennie  were 
in  each  other's  arms  before  they  had  a  good  look  at 
each  other;  when  they  did,  after  the  embrace,  Jen- 
nie saw  the  look  of  pain  and  surprise  in  Mabel's  eyes, 
and  then  reminded  of  the  moment  forgotten  mask  she 
was  to  wear,  began  to  ply  her  with  many  ques- 
tions,  as  to   when   and  how   she  came  to    the   city, 


86  OUR   MABEL. 

how  long  she  was  going  to  remain,  etc.,  etc.,  which 
Mabel  got  no  time  to  answer  until  the  masker  sub- 
sided in  a  measure,  and  then  she  told  Jennie  that  she 
had  been  in  and  near  the  city  some  time,  but  that 
important  duties,  consequent  on  moving  and  settling, 
had  prevented  her  from  calling  on  her  old  friend 
sooner,  but  having  resolved  to  embrace  the  very  first 
opportunity  to  do  so,  "  I  found  and  have  fulfilled  it 
this  morning,"  and  "  Jennie,  how  glad  I  am  to  see 
you  once  more;  the  five  years,  since  last  we  met,  have 
brought  many  changes,  both  in  us  and  our  old  homes. 
Homer  is  changing  rapidly,  improving  every  way,  we 
think,  you  should  see  it." 

"  Yes,  Mabel,  I  have  been  dreaming  of  home  all 
this  morning,  and  was  aroused  but  a  few  moments 
before  you  came,  and  that  is  about  the  only  way  that 
I  can  get  there  these  days." 

"  But,  Jennie,  it  would  do  you  good  and  put  a  new 
life  into  you,  for  I  judge  this  city  life  is  taking  all  the 
bloom  out  of  your  once  rosy  cheeks;  are  you  quite 
well?" 

4 'No,  Mabel,  I  have  not  been  for  some  time,  but  I 
cannot  make  up  my  mind  to  leave  my  own  home  and 
Harry,  you  know,  though  I've  been  intending  to 
leave  the  city  for  a  long  while;  but  the  children  are 
well,  and  so  I  keep  putting  it  off  for  myself." 

"  Your  children,  Jennie,  I  should  like  to  see  them; 
five  years  atop  of  babies'  heads  work  wonders  for 
them." 

"  Yes,  they  are  with  their  governess  now,  we  will 


OUR   MABEL.  87 

look  in  upon  them  after  awhile.  The  baby  yon  saw, 
my  May  Belle,  is  now  seven  years  old,  and  Harry 
nearer  nine.  Yon  know  my  baby  of  a  year  since,  I 
have  lost;  she  was  just  six  months  old,  and  it  did 
seem  to  me  she  was  the  sweetest  baby  of  all." 

"  Oh,  Jennie,  I  felt  like  flying  to  you  then,  for  the 
nearness  to  death  of  my  own  little  one,  a  short  time 
before,  made  me  realize  more  fully  than  I  else  could 
have  done,  the  deep  sorrow  which  had  fallen  upon 
you,  and  although  it  is  not  the  gift  of  mortal  to 
lessen  the  affliction  of  death,  through  any  sympathy 
however  sincere,  yet  the  sympathy  gives  strength, 
ofttimes,  to  bear  and  struggle  onward  with  the  loads 
of  life;  and  so  I  longed  to  come  near,  and  put  my 
arms  about  you,  and  support  you  there  as  I  do  this 
minute,  dear  Jennie." 

Mabel  had  left  her  seat,  the  quivering  lips  and 
eyes  full  of  unshed  tears  seeking  relief  and  threaten- 
ing a  storm  so  unwilling  to  break,  were  too  much  for 
her  love  and  true  friendship  to  sit  quietly  under,  as 
she  intuitively  comprehended  the  need  for  a  freshet 
of  tears,  to  revive  the  (for  some  reason)  withering 
heart. 

For  some  moments  no  word  was  spoken,  though 
heart  answered  to  heart  as  the  tired  head  of  the  weep- 
ing one  lay  in  the  arms  of  her  old  time  friend;  and  so 
much  had  passed  through  the  minds  of  both,  in  that 
restful  moment,  that  Jennie  started  up  quickly  at 
last,  believing,  for  an  instant,  that  she  had  actually 
revealed  her  secret,  an  acknowledgment  of  her  soul 


88  OUR   MABEL. 

that  it  had  communicated,  though  by  no  word  of 
mouth,  the  sorrow  she  had  sought  to  hide,  and  at  last 
to  bury  within  thesepulcher  of  her  own  frail  organ- 
ism. 

Regaining  speech  at  length  Jennie  attempted  some 
faint  words  of  apology  for  her  "  seeming  weakness." 

"  Do  not  speak  of  weakness,  Jennie;  do  you  know, 
or  did  you  ever  think,  that  our  hours  of  sorrow  and 
grief,  even  of  mortification  and  chagrin,  are  our 
hours  of  strength?  I  firmly  believe  it,  for  in  them 
alone,  do  we  gain  such  an  insight  of  ourselves,  of  our 
true  and  unmasked  nature,  together  with  the  desires 
and  capabilities  of  our  souls,  as  when  thus  freed  from 
the  vanities  that  compass  us  in  our  apparently  more 
flourishing  moments.  What  we  call  our  trials  are 
hard  to  bear  for  the  very  reason  that  our  natures  are 
deficient  of  the  knowledge  such  lessons  are  designed 
to  teach;  and  each  soul  must  have  its  own,  according 
to  its  need  for  growth  and  strength  of  its  several 
parts." 

"  I  have  not  thought  of  one's  troubles  in  that  light, 
Mabel,  but  I  think  you  maybe  right, although  I  have 
never  gone  further  than  to  feel  the  injustice,  as  it 
seems  to  me,  of  some  things;  yet  since  you  speak  of 
it,  I  know  that  I  am  somewhat  wiser  now  than  the 
Jennie  of  ten  years  ago,  and  withal  have  not  even  the 
appearance  of  the  gay  and  thoughtless  girl  of  that 
time,  yet  1  do  not  know  that  I  am  either  stronger  or 
better  for  my  experience." 

"  Perhaps  you  do  not  realize  it  yet,  but,  Jennie,  I 


OUR   MABEL.  89 

suppose  that  all  our  moments  are  good  for  us,  of 
pleasure  as  well  as  of  pain,  and  all  the  intermediate 
conditions,  and  I  am  sure  I  am  glad  to  have  seen  you 
this  morning,  after  so  long  an  eclipse  of  your  face, 
and  I  am  sure  it  has  been  also  good  for  me  to  have 
had  this  pleasure.  One  look  at  your  children  and  I 
must  go." 

Startled  as  Mabel  had  been  at  the  sight  of 
Jennie's  pale  cheeks,  she  was  infinitely  more  so  at  the 
slender  and  delicate  children  of  her  friend.  Already 
the  caged  birds  of  fashion,  condemned  each  day  to 
nursery  and  governess,  until  the  little  cheeks  were 
flushed  with  weariness,  the  limbs  tottering,  and  the 
poor  little  brains  unable  to  grasp  at  anything  but  the 
one  great  want  of  growing  childhood;  the  pure  air  of 
heaven  and  freedom  of  limb. 

Mabel's  eyes  now  filled  with  tears  as  she  witnessed 
the  sickly  politeness  of  fashion's  false  standard,  and 
turned  to  leave  before  the  thoughts  of  her  mind 
should  find  relief  in  words. 

Oh,  world !  world !  oh,  people !  people !  why  is  it  ye  seek 
after  that  which  bringeth  recompense  only  of  sorrow 
and  pain;  which  crampeth  the  body  and  bigots  the 
mind.  Why  auction  the  body  for  the  price  of  thy 
gold,  which  in  sorrow  is  scattered  again,  to  purchase 
the  field  of  blood  wherein  to  lay  the  flesh  and  bones 
of  thy  sold  birthright;  and  worse,  and  worse  still,  the 
God-given  inheritance  and  birthright  of  your  chil- 
dren, upon  which  thou  hast  laid  fraudulent  hands, 
thinkest  that  thou  wilt  be  shielded  before  the  Eternal, 


90  OUR   MABEL. 

for  the  robbery  from  nature  of  her  choicest  gifts, 
bestowed  from  a  wealth  of  pure  love,  upon  the  chil- 
dren she  has  laid  in  your  arms? 

No,  no;  tried  and  found  wanting;  seeing,  ye  are 
blind;  walking,  ye  stumble;  hearing,  ye  are  deaf, 
because  the  voices  are  strong  and  more  popular,  heard 
in  all  quarters  of  earth  crying  out,  "strive  all  of 
ye  for  gold,  gold,  gold  and  high  place;  give  way,  ye 
commoners!  to  the  racers  that  checker  the  field,  and 
the  prize  to  them  that  shall  win." 

The  eternal  lives,  and  will  make  the  falsities  of  life  to 
return  upon  themselves  as  weapons,  to  punish  with  afflic- 
tions of  sorrow,  through  disease,  poverty,  scourgings 
and  death.  A  recompense  exists  for  every  wrong  and 
sin  in  the  hands  of  the  Almighty.  "Recompense  is 
mine,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  repay,"  and  who  shall 
doubt  it? 

Mabel  had  told  Jennie  that  she  had  come  to  live 
within  a  short  distance  of  her  city,  her  husband  being 
occupied  daily  within  its  limits;  that  for  many 
reasons  they  had  concluded  it  best  to  reside  some 
distance  out,  and  so  were  now  ensconced  in  a  neat, 
though  not  a  spacious  dwelling,  having  the  advantages 
of  a  large  garden,  small  orchard  and  a  lawn  of  no 
mean  size  at  its  front. 

It  was  but  a  pleasant  drive  from  the  city,  and  only 
a  few  minutes  walk  from  the  railway  station  of  a  road 
passing  not  a  half  mile  away. 

Approaching  her  home,  after  parting  with  Jennie, 
Mabel's  eyes  and  ears  were  greeted  with  the  sound  of 


OUR   MABEL.  91 

a  boyish  shout  of  glee,  at  sight  of  his  mother,  towards 
whom  he  was  plunging  head  foremost,  in  the  full 
strength  of  his  young  and  healthy  blood;  her  four 
year  old,  stooping  to  lessen  the  blow  of  his  coming 
speed,  and  to  kiss  the  lips,  calling  in  affections 
sweetest  note,  the  dear  name  "Mama,  Mama!"  she 
met  her  boy;  taking  his  hand,  until  at  the  threshold 
they  were  met  by  the  cooing,  and  jumping  almost  out 
of  nurse's  arms,  of  the  baby  May,  which  she  took,  and 
in  taking  spoke  softly  to  herself,  "  Oh  my  children,  I 
will  not  rob  yon  of  all  health-giving  things  for  your 
little  bodies,  though  the  world  say  you  will  grow  to 
be  fools,  unless  cramped  and  crammed  into  the  mold 
it  has  made  for  its  children. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

ODD   TOM   JOINER   REAPPEARS. 

Three  years  after  Mabel  left  school,  Homer  was 
somewhat  surprised  by  the  advent  of  a  stranger,  or 
one  apparently,  for  an  evident  polish  and  refinement, 
combined  with  the  fine  physical  development  of  the 
young  man,  put  to  flight  the  memory  of  many  of  the 
but  a  few  years  since,  "  odd  Tom  Joiner." 

Our  Tom  had  come  back  to  revive  for  a  few  days 
the  associations  of  his  childhood  and  youth. 

He  had  kept  up  an  occasional  correspondence  with 
Mr.  Tremaine,  whom  he  insisted  on  looking  upon  as 
his  benefactor  as  well  as  friend,  and  his  visit  now,  was 
by  Mr.  Tremaine's  invitation. 

He  had  successfully  and  nonorably  closed  his 
scholastic  years,  giving,  through  Mr.  Tremaine's 
advice,  particular  attention  to  such  studies  as  would 
best  aid  him  in  the  chosen  direction  of  business 
pursuit. 

Life  was  beginning  to  hold  out  her  enticing  hands 
to  his  strengthening  manhood,  beckoning  him  on  with 
the  fair  pictures  of  fancy's  brush,  and  he  was  begin- 
ning to  listen,  and  to  gaze  out  into  the  future,  whose 
promises  from  the  year  past,  since  leaving  his  college, 
walls,  were  fine  indeed,  while  giving  more  direct  study 


OUR    MABEL. 


93 


to  the  pursuit  of  architecture;  for  thus  had  he 
decided,  not  only  to  become  the  architect  of  his 
"Fate,"  but  one  of  design,  through  which  industry  lie 
must  now  obtain  the  means  of  livelihood. 

The  year  past  had  been  spent  with  a  Mr.  Camper, 
an  architect  of  not  only  note  and  influence,  but  one 
capable  of  teaching  and  guiding  the  younger  man, 
whose  assiduity  had  awakened  in  the  tutor's  mind  a 
more  than  common  interest.  This  being  the  first  time 
that  Mr.  Tremaine  had  seen  Tom  since  he  left  the 
village,  he  watched  him  with  deep  interest  during  the 
few  days  allotted  for  his  stay,  an  interest  which  grew 
into  esteem,  as  he  fathomed  the  character  that  had 
been  developed  in  him. 

Toward  Mabel  something  of  the  old  boyish  manner 
returned,  of  mingled  admiration  and  veneration, 
causing  less  freedom  of  speech  when  with  her,  than 
with  Mr.  Tremaine,  who  had  the  faculty  of  drawing 
him  out  in  opinion  and  thought  to  the  utmost.  At 
such  times  Tom  forgot  all  else  but  the  subject  in  hand, 
and  revealed  himself  more  perfectly  to  the  good 
friends  than  he  dreamed,  or  could  in  any  other  way 
have  done. 

But  the  days  sped  away,  and  Tom  with  them, 
leaving  behind  a  sincere  regret,  and  taking  with  him 
a  newer  desire  to  become  worthy,  through  his  life,  of 
the  esteem  and  kindness  of  his  early  friends,  together 
with  an  earnest  invitation  to  return  with  the  holidays 
six  months  hence. 

Tom  returned  to  his  duties  with  a  manly  heart,  but 


94:  OUR    MABEL. 

soon,  to  his  dismay,  he  made  the  discovery  that  his 
zeal  had  flagged,  and  fancy  refused  to  paiut  as  glow- 
ing pictures  as  before;  he  thought  he  must  be  losing 
health,  and  found  himself  thinking  often  of  the  quiet 
retreat  he  had  just  left,  but  with  no  other  thought 
than  of  its  rest  in  companionship  with  its  inmates 
who  were  more  revered  than  all  others  in  his  mind. 

Some  three  months  after  his  visit,  on  going  into  the 
office  one  morning  somewhat  later  than  usual,  and 
pleading  as  apology  an  intense  headache,  Mr.  Camper 
arose  to  meet  him,  and  clapping  him  on  the  shoulder, 
said, 

"Tom,  my  boy,  I've  just  been  thinking  about  you, 
there  is  something  wrong  with  you,  and  you  need  a 
change  of  some  kind,  so  I  am  going  to'  discharge — " 

"What,  sir!" 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha,  yes,  discharge  you  from  the  duties  of 
this  office — for  a  time.  Shocks  are  good,  I  see;  you 
look  better  already,  got  a  new  circulation,  hey?  In 
other  words,  you  remember  the  plat  we  got  the  other 
day,  of  a  new  town  just  laid  out  some  fifteen  miles 
from  this  city?  Well,  this  morning  I  have  received 
an  application  from  the  company  (a  rich  one  you 
know),  who  have  this  thing  in  charge,  to  build  ten 
cottages,  not  to  exceed  a  certain  figure  as  to  cost,  and 
to  contain  as  many  conveniences  as  possible.  Also, 
I  am  told,  that  two  other  architects  are  to  design  and 
build  the  same  number;  this  you  see  gives  them  the 
advantage  of  competition  and  variety  of  taste,  for  the 
stvle  and  finish,  is  to  be  left  to  us. 


OUR    MABEL.  95 

"  Now,  I  am  getting  to  be  too  old  a  man  to  leave 
my  family  as  much  as  this  undertaking  would  compel 
me  to,  and  yet  the  temptation  to  show  off  the  colors 
of  our  firm,  is  too  great  to  resist.  I  see  your  eyes 
are  saying,  '  is  he  himself  this  morning  ? '  Never  more 
so,  my  dear  sir,  1  mean  just  what  I  say,  here  are  my 
credentials,  read." 

"City  of ,  April  16,18—. 

'We,  the  undersigned,  John  P.  Camper  and 
Thomas  Joiner,  have  this  day  formed  a  co-partner- 
ship, to  be  known  as,  Camper  &  Joiner,  Archi- 
tects, etc." 

"Do  you  mean  it?"  exclaimed  the  now  excited 
Tom,  as  lie  sprang  forward,  coming  nearer  to  his 
employer. 

"  Mean  it?  of  course  I  do  old  fellow.  Don't  you  see 
the  selfishness  in  it  though?  See  here,  this  is  my 
plan,  I  shall  accept  the  building  of  those  cottages,  and 
stay  at  home,  send  you  out  there  to  superintend  and 
direct;  of  course  we  will  consult  and  plan  together 
when  necessary,  and  you  being  known  as  my  partner, 
will  be  acceptable  in  my  place.  Now,  my  boy,  I 
want  you  to  try  your  metal,  I  wish  you  to  make  your 
own  designs,  and  if  there  is  any  point  you  wish 
to  consult  about,  I  shall  be  always  ready,  and  don't 
you  see,  if  your  young  brains  should  win  applause,  I 
would  get  the  credit  after  all? " 

But  Tom  could  not  see  the  selfishness,  and  with  a 
grateful  heart  thanked  his  employer  for  his  generosity 
and  kindness,  expressing  his  hope  to  be  able  to  prove 


96  OUR    MABEL. 

how  much  he  appreciated  it,  at  some  future  time. 
The  tide  had  risen,  and  the  visions  of  fancy  were  again 
floating  on  its  wave,  renewing  the  vigor  and  tone  of 
his  heart's  blood,  through  the  action  of  purpose,  and 
hope. 

With  the  confidence  and  trust  of  youth,  buoyed  up 
with  an  inspiration  he  as  yet,  wot  not  of,  Tom 
labored  early  and  late,  to  perfect  and  combine  the 
requisites  for  this  new  and  charming  undertaking; 
meeting  approval  from  his  employer,  now  partner, 
and  not  a  few  side  glances  of  surprise  and  almost 
displeasure  from  his  competitors  in  the  field. 

As  the  work  nears  completion  the  pictures  of  hope 
grow  brighter  and  more  definite  in  character,  until 
conviction  of  truth  comes  almost  suddenly  upon  him, 
alarming  and  disquieting,  as  he  names  to  himself 
what  seems  a  presumption,  and  recognizes  the  true 
source  of  his  inspiration  in  work.  The  man  again  is 
changed,  through  a  quiet  dignity,  which  the  reign  of 
a  pure  and  noble  love  inspires,  even  though  its  object 
un  requites. 

Tom's  cottages  were  now  complete,  tasty,  beautiful 
and  neat,  outrivaling  while  unique,  those  his  competi- 
tors had  raised,  and  to  whose  honor,  be  it  said, 
cheerfully  laid  aside  personality  in  the  matter,  in  the 
pride  of  recognition  of  what  their  art  could  do. 

Tom  had  given  no  intimation  that  the  symbols  of 
these  new  structures  had  birth  in  his  own  brain,  nor 
had  Mr.  Camper  disinherited  the  praise  bestowed 
upon  him  from  all  sides,  in  view  of  testing  the  vanity 
or  strength  of  our  Tom. 


OUR    MABEL.  97 

Satisfied  that  Tom's  gratitude  would  forever  seal  his 
lips  as  to  the  truth  of  the  matter,  Mr.  Camper,  with 
apparent  undesign,  revealed  the  facts  to  one  whom  he 
knew  would  put  the  information  to  good  use;  and 
thus  it  was  that  within  a  few  weeks  after  the  cottages 
were  finished,  the  "Local  Journal "  came  out  with  the 
following  article,  viz. : 

"Our  readers  are  familiar  with  the  sketches  our 
Journal  has  given  from  time  to  time,  of  the  rise  and 
progress  of  the  cottages  so  lately  built  in  our  new 
surburban  town,  which  was  planned  by  a  wealthy 
company  of  citizens  and  named  '  Retreat; '  they  have 
also  followed  with  interest  the  growing  plan  and  style 
of  the  buildings,  under  each  of  the  three  architects 
selected  to  show  their  skill  and  taste;  since  their 
completion  and  test,  the  work  of  each  has  been 
pronounced  as  highly  praiseworthy,  though  giving  to 
our  much  esteemed  citizen  and  architect,  Mr.  John  P. 
Camper,  rather  the  palm  for  extra  beauty  and  finish, 
while  the  substantial  and  convenient  was  not  the  least 
slighted. 

"  It  now  becomes  not  only  our  duty,  but  pleasure, 
to  announce  from  the  very  best  of  authority,  Mr. 
Camper  himself,  that  the  entire  work  of  design  and 
finish,  were  those  of  his  young  friend  and  partner, 
Thomas  Joiner.  Our  citizens  are  not  slow  to  recog- 
nize true  genius,  and  will  appreciate  the  fact  that  one 
of  our  own  young  men  is  rising  to  a  place  among  the 
first  of  our  already  justly  renowned  architects,  and 
will,  as  his  brother  architects  have  already  done, 
extend  to  him  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  As  Mr. 
Camper  has  formed  a  co-partnership  with  his  young 
friend,  they  will  be  known  hereafter,  as  before 
announced,  as '  Camper  &  Joiner.'  " 


98  OTTK    MABEL. 

The  holidays  were  drawing  on,  and  Tom,  though 
now  on  the  way  to  prosperity,  found  himself  quite 
timid  and  shrinking  at  thought  of  the  visit  he  had 
promised  to  make,  and  of  which  he  was  reminded  by 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Tremaine. 

Incongruous  human  heart,  longing  yet  fearing, 
determined  yet  undetermined,  hoping  yet  faithless, 
happy  yet  unhappy,  what  can  we  do  with  thee  ? 

Methinks  the  flesh  is  weak,  while  the  soul  is  strong; 
the  soul  longs  while  the  flesh  fears;  the  soul  is  firm, 
the  flesh  undetermined;  the  soul  hopeful,  flesh  faith- 
less; the  soul  happy  and  the  flesh  through  conflict 
unhappy. 

Grand,  grand  oh  soul,  are  thy  instincts,  pressing 
the  fainting  flesh  into  the  mold  of  thy  destiny;  a 
destiny  that  the  eternal  forces  of  thy  soul's  structure 
hath  decreed  from  time  unaccountable,  and  through 
whose  unfolding  it  shall  attain  its  highest,  most 
perfect  self-hood,  resting  not,  until  within  the  bosom 
of  divinity  embraced. 


CHAPTEK  XIV. 

HOLIDAY   PREPARATIONS  IN    HOMER MABEL'S  AND    TOM'S 

DEVELOPMENT. 

Tom  kept  his  promise,  and  appeared  at  Mr.  Tre- 
maine's  hospitable  door  long  enough  before  Christ- 
mas day,  to  assist  in  the  usual  preparations  for  good 
cheer,  that  Mabel  and  her  uncle  always  attended  to, 
for  "the  poor  they  had  always  with  them;"  the  unfor- 
tunate ones  whose  children  were  fully  alive  to  the 
charm  and  mystery  of  Christmas  eve,  and  as  hopeful 
for  the  promised  visit  of  Santa  Claus  as  the  children 
of  those  able  to  give  unto  their  own,  and  perhaps  of 
more  true  faith,  as  they  take  to  their  beds  without 
having  witnessed  the  least  preparation  for  the  distin- 
guished visitor  and  friend  of  children,  yet  determined 
to  go  "  fast  asleep,"  sure  if  they  obey  this  injunction  so 
necessary  for  his  approach,  that  he  will  not  disappoint 
them. 

God  sendeth  his  ministering  angels  abroad  at  such 
times,  to  reward  the  sweet  belief  of  childhood,  touch- 
ing the  hearts  of  the  able  and  willing  to  give,  soften- 
ing the  hardening  ones  of  parents,  so  grown 
through  the  toils  of  life,  and  opening  some  door  for 
its  accomplishment,  even  through  the  agony  of  heart 
of  a  mother's  grinding  poverty,  planning  some  means, 


100  OUR   MABEL. 

however  trifling,  to  help  the  faith  and  please  the  hope 
of  a  darling  child. 

"Amid  all  the  rejoicings  of  Christmas  eve  and 
night,  Tom,  was  there  ever  a  chronicle  of  the  tears 
and  anguish  of  the  multitudes,  whose  whole  burden 
of  life  seems  concentrated  in  this  one  day  of  time  I " 

"No,  Miss  Mabel,  I  fear  not:  we  read  once  in  a 
while  some  story  of  what  we  are  apt  to  judge  is  a 
rare  instance  of  distress  and  suffering,  but  we  are 
mostly  inclined  to  believe  that  all  the  world  is  made 
happy  and  rejoicing  on  that  day,  as  well  as  ourselves, 
but  when  we  stop  to  reflect,  I  presume  there  is  much, 
and  very  great,  distress  in  thousands  of  households." 

Tom  was  busy  making  packages  of  the  various 
collections  of  articles  that  Mabel  was  putting  to- 
gether. Uncle  Tremaine  stepped  out  of  the  room 
just  as  Tom  was  speaking,  and  since,  there  had  been 
silence,  each  absorbed  in  their  own  thoughts.  Tom 
was  wondering  how  Mr.  Tremaine  and  Mabel  came  to 
think  of  so  much  to  give  happiness  to  others,  and 
having  the  thoughts,  that  they  so  promptly  put  them 
in  practice,  then  wandered  back  to  his  own  early  days, 
realizing  that  but  for  their  goodness  and  thoughtful 
friendship,  he  would  not  have  occupied  the  position 
he  does  to-day,  in  any  sense. 

Then  the  strangeness  of  it  all  came  upon  him,  his 
past  and  his  now  presence  in  their  home  as  an  invited 
and  honored  guest,  which  thought  brought  him  to  the 
present,  and  glancing  at  Mabel  he  perceived  that  she 
had  quite  forgotten  the  work  before  her,  while  her 


OUR   MABEL. 


101 


hands  lay  idle  on  a  pretty  dress  pattern  of  woolen 
goods,  designed  for  a  little  protege  whose  poverty  put 
the  expectation  of  anything  so  nice  far  from  her 
imagination. 

The  slight  flush,  and  almost  smile,  on  Mabel's  face 
were  the  tell-tales  of  her  wandering  thought,  which 
was  conjuring  up  the  visions  in  dreams  and  the  de- 
light in  reality,  when  the  faggot  fire  of  early  morn 
discovered  to  the  little  girl's  enchanted  eyes,  the  frock 
and  shoes  Santa  Glaus  had  actually  gotten  down  the 
chimney  without  fleck  or  soil;  and  the  nuts  and  candy 
doll,  and  real  china  baby  a  finger  long,  stuffed  into  a 
little  darned-all-over  stocking. 

The  day  dream  was  ended  by  the  return  of  Mr. 
Tremaine,  but  afterwards  Mabel's  pleasure  was  com- 
plete when  told  of  the  child's  first  ecstacy,  and 
then  the  silenced  tongue,  through  continued  surprise, 
as  she  drew  the  treasures  forth,  and  how  the  little 
full  heart,  turning  to  mama,  could  only  say,  Oh, 
mama!  I  do  love  Santa  Claus,  and  finished  with  great 
tears  of  a  beautiful  joy,  fresh,  earnest  and  true.  It  is 
a  moment  of  entire  gratitude  and  thankfulness  that 
bringeth  the  heart-quiver,  which  can  find  relief  only 
in  tears. 

All  packages  for  the  late  evening's  circuit  were  now 
complete  save  one,  which  was  not  to  be  put  in  a 
package  at  all,  but  carefully  placed  in  a  good  sized 
basket,  such  as  jelly  and  fruit,  little  relishes,  and 
sweet  home-made  bread,  for,  as  Tom  was  told,  a  poor 
and  very  sick  woman,  which  basket  was  not  disposed 


102  OUR  MABEL. 

of  on  Christmas  eve,  but  waited  for  the  early  dawn  of 
the  Christmas  morn,  when  the  uncle  and  niece  went 
out  together  to  the  edge  of  town  where  stood  an  old 
weather  worn  house,  there  they  halted,  and  Mabel 
went  in  to  comfort  and  bless  a  poor,  suffering  one 
with  temporal,  as  well  as  spiritual  gifts;  indeed,  what 
account  were  one  without  the  other? 

Can  man  pray  in  fullness  of  fervor  with  a  starving 
body?  Can  his  mind  grasp  or  think  clearly,  on  even 
right  and  duty,  his  spirit  soar  toward  Heaven  and 
God,  when  the  tenement  of  his  body  is  worn  and 
weak,  is  chilled  by  cold  blasts,  hath  no  internal  heat, 
is  hungering  and  thirsting  for  food  to  build  the  fires 
of  life,  which  quicken  to  health  the  feeble  pulse  and 
fainting  breath?  God  knows  it  cannot  be.  His  own 
laws  decree  it  otherwise. 

Feed  and  warm  the  body  physical,  and  then  ask 
the  body  spiritual  dwelling  therein  to  demonstrate  its 
existence  more  perfectly ;  starve  and  freeze  the  body 
physical  and  you  have  no  right  to  ask,  much  less 
expect,  else  than  the  feeblest  and  weakest  expression 
of  a  moral  comprehension.  Reader,  dost  thou  guess 
that  Mabel  was  passing  through  one  of  the  fires 
awaiting  her  life,  through  which  reason  and  a  sense  of 
justice  alone  could  accompany  her,  compelling  to  the 
sacrifice  of  losing,  or  endangering  the  love  of  ac- 
counted friends?  Even  so,  nor  think  the  cross  an 
easy  one  to  bear,  for  her  sensitive  soul  (it  takes  a  sen- 
sitive soul  to  hear  the  hungering  heart-cries  of  human- 
ity), felt  keenly  the  thorns  that  friends  (?)  placed  unten- 


OUR    MABEL.  103 

derly  upon  her  brow,  and  the  anguish  came  and  was 
wrestled  with  in  darkness  and  alone,  and  accepted  by 
her  soul's  decree  of  right  and  justice,  truth  and  love, 
prayer  and  aspiration.  And  she  comes  forth  in  her 
chosen  armor,  whispering  her  own  encouragement: 
"He  leadeth  me,  He  holds  my  hand  in  His,  nor 
taketh  me  astray."  I  will  go  where  He  beckons;  time 
will  prove  that  His  way  is  the  best,  and  that  at  the 
last  it  leadeth  out  "  by  the  still  waters,  and  into  green 
pastures,"  of  a  conscience  at  peace,  and  in  full  sym- 
pathy with  the  divine  love  which  hath  appointed  unto 
me  this  sacrifice.  Wait  my  soul  for  the  crown  after 
the  cross. 

In  cities  a  crime  (?)  of  such  kind  against  society's 
commands,  as  going  down  among  the  fallen,  with  the 
purest  of  motive  and  purpose,  soon  spreads  in  her 
camp,  causing  a  hasty  fluttering  of  garments  too 
white  (?)  to  be  soiled  by  contact  of  even  a  messenger 
from  the  tombs  of  despair;  defilement  is  their  fear 
(acknowledgment  of  weakness  ?),  and  no  ears  have 
they  for  the  cry  of  pain,  or  the  voice  of  repentance 
that  would  be  heard,  in  mercy  heard. 

Then,  in  a  village  like  Homer,  how  much  quicker 
does  such  a  fire  spread  and  excite  the  populace  to 
execration  and  disgust,  and  although  "Our  Mabel" 
has  been  beloved  and  trusted,  and  no  one  questions 
her  purity  now,  yet  they  add  thorn  after  thorn,  and 
deliberately  prick  her  brow  with  their  pure  hands  (? ) 
folded  behind  them,  lest  some  native  instinct  quicken 
to  a  contact  with  her  holy  ones. 


104  OUR    MABEL. 

Even  mother  Osgood  has  reasoned  with  her,  her 
young  friends  have  shed  their  tears  over  her,  to  fol- 
low withal  the  shrugging  shoulder  and  averted  eye. 
Old  auntie  "  Bet "  has  reasoned,  scolded  and  cried  by 
turns,  the  wise  old  soul  knowing  her  pet's  worldly 
loss.  One  earthly  friend  alone  stands  by  and  upholds 
her  decision  through  converse  with  her  own  soul  and 
God,  dear  uncle  Tremaine. 

Quietly  he  studies  the  whole  situation  while  giving 
his  countenance,  and  ponders  the  results  of  his  own 
teaching,  in  the  little  child  he  gathered  to  his  heart 
so  many  years  ago,  now  grown  into  womanhood,  full 
of  promise  and  beauty,  and  to  his  loving  and  percept- 
ive eye,  in  this  hour,  a  priestess  before  the  altar  of 
the  most  High,  wielding  the  censor  of  forgiveness  for 
repentance,  annointing  with  the  oil  of  peace  a  return- 
ing soul  brought  hither  through  the  scorching 
flames  of  transgression,  whose  sword  the  angel  of 
God's  law  forever  wields  to  drive  the  souls  of  His 
likeness  back  into  the  sweats  and  travails  of  a  narrow 
way,  that  opens  up  at  last  the  vision  of  a  glory  ever- 
lasting, found  through  the  crucible  of  knowledge,  far, 
far  greater  than  any  paradise  to  which  ignorance  can 
attain. 


CHAPTER  XY. 

CHRISTMAS    SERVICES   AT   HOMER UNION    OF   HEARTS. 

An  old  time  practice  that  Mr.  Tremaine  himself 
had  been  instrumental  in  establishing  in  Homer,  was 
a  general  meeting,  without  distinction  of  creed  or 
church,  of  the  villagers,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting 
their  voices  in  Christmas  songs  and  carols,  to  begin 
with  an  invocation  and  to  end  with  a  blessing,  a  fea- 
ture which  had  become  no  mean  part  of  the  anticipa- 
tions for  the  Christmas  week. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  Mr.  Tremaine,  Mabel  and 
Tom,  auntie  "Bet"  and  uncle  Sam  as  well,  took  their 
way  to  the  grove  chapel,  wherefrom  the  glad  voices 
were  to  send  out  their  soul  music  to-day. 

"Torn,"  said  Mabel,  "you  will  witness  a  great 
change  to-day  from  the  gatherings  you  used  to  attend 
both  in  number  and  improvement  of  the  singers." 

"  Uncle,  you  will  know  that  it  is  Minnie's  sweet  voice 
when  you  hear,  as  the  chorus  dies  almost  away,  a  glad 
spring  as  of  a  bird  flown  in  to  warble,  '  Father,  we 
love  thee,  and  give  to  thee  praise.'  You  have  not 
heard  our  new  anthem,  and  I  am  glad  you  have  not, 
but  am  anxious  to  know  how  you  are  going  to  like 
it." 


106  OUR    MABEL. 

"  There  is  no  danger  but  that  I  shall  like  it,  Mabel, 
even  were  the  music  somewhat  inferior,  as  I  am  assured, 
however,  it  is  not,  for  out  of  the  fullness  of  the  heart 
the  mouth  speaketh,  so  it  must  be  that  from  out  the 
soul's  fullness  and  earnest  gladness  the  sweetest  music 
mast  flow;  but  we  are  at  the  chapel  now,  and  our 
winter  birds  are  nocking  in,  in  their  brightest 
of  plumage."  "Tom  you  will  have  to  come  with  me, 
for  Mabel  is  needed  among  those  merry  choristers." 

So  separated,  Mr.  Tremaine  led  the  way  to  a  pew 
near  the  altar,  where  they  waited,  each  in  the  silence 
of  his  own  preoccupied  thought,  until  the  ministers 
of  each  creed  had  there  assembled  in  a  common 
brotherhood  of  Christ,  not  one  presuming  by  virtue 
of  his  creed  to  be  greater  than  another,  yet  by 
common  consent  assigning  to  the  most  venerable 
among  them  the  office  of  invocator. 

As  the  gray-haired  pastor  arose  and  lifted  up  his 
hands,  young  and  old  bowed  before  him  in  attitude  of 
echoing  prayer  as  the  uncreedal  one  passed  his  lips. 

"  O  God,  my  God!  O  God  our  God,  O  God,  the 
God  of  all  the  universe,  with  all  its  peoples  of  every 
place  and  tongue,  aid  us  in  our  being  this  morning, 
that  our  eyes  may  spiritually  see  the  bright  star  of 
promise,  and  our  ears  hear  the  glad  anthem  from  the 
skies,  heralding  a  Savior  unto  men.  A  child  has 
indeed  been  born  unto  us,  yea  a  man,  yea  a  God, 
whose  love  and  power  lies  manifest  in  the  hearts  of 
men,  when  thy  people  unsected,  humble  and  adoring, 


OUR    MABEL.  10T 

can  come  before  Thee  this  morning  and  lay  their  best 
treasure  before  Thee — Spirit  of  Life — God,  and 
acknowledge  thy  guidance,  thy  love,  thy  justice  and 
recompense  and  reconciliation  of  all  things.  The 
ages  have  brought  us  up  blindly  groping  through 
midnight  darkness  for  the  God  in  whose  hands  a 
seeking  universe  might  lay  their  hopes  and  trust, 
their  best  intent,  their  purest  effort,  their  failures,  and 
their  sins,  with  the  full  assurance  that  His  divinest 
order  would  enclasp  them  all,  and  hold  secure  human- 
ities' own.  Thus  to-day  we  do  not  meet  as  Jew  or 
Gentile,  Catholic  or  Protestant,  but  as  one  common 
brotherhood,  to  adore  and  praise  the  God  of  our  souls 
in  whatsoever  form  He  appeals  to  our  comprehension 
individually. 

Accept  we  pray  Thee,  O  God,  our  God,  our  praises 
to-day  of  uttered  and  unuttered  thought — those  of 
our  elder  manhood  whose  feet  even  now  stand  on  the 
shores  where  the  rising  tide  will  e'er  long  sweep  their 
totter  over  into  the  great  gulf  of  eternity— of  those 
who  are  just  sipping  of  the  bitter  sweets  of  this 
earthly  life,  and  above  all,  those  of  our  innocents, 
who  from  their  full  hearts  this  day,  shall  presently 
shout  forth  their  glad  and  happy  praises  to  the  God 
of  their  being,  in  song  and  anthem.  Great  God,  and 
our  dear  Father  in  one,  this  day  and  always  be 
pleased  as  we  praise  Thee,  to  listen,  as  we  love  Thee  to 
accept,  as  we  lean  on  Thee  to  support,  as  we  trust 
Thee  to  direct,  and  may  we  all  be  gathered  at  last  in 
one  fold  through  Thy  mighty  love  and  wisdom,  which 


108  OUR   MABEL. 

we  ask  by  and  through  thine  eternal  Godhood. 
Amen." 

"  Amen  "  resounded  all  over  the  house,  an  earnest 
prayer  of  itself  embodied  in  the  one  word. 

Soon  the  organ  pealed  out  the  old  and  ever  sweet 
tune  of  "  Antioch,"  and  the  congregation  united  their 
hearty  voices  in  singing: — 

"  Joy  to  the  world,  the  Lord  is  come! 

Let  earth  receive  her  King; 
Let  every  heart  prepare  him  room, 

And  heaven  and  nature  sing." 

Then  came  the  anthem,  "  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd, 
I  shall  not  want,"  and  it  fell  to  Mabel's  part  to  sing 
the  solo, — 

"  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me,  in  the  presence 
of  mine  enemies;" 

"Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil:  my  cup 
runneth  over." 

The  earnest  tones  of  the  singer,  forgetful  of  listeners, 
in  the  sense  of  appeal  and  trust  with  which  she 
endowed  the  words,  touched  the  hearts  of  some  who 
had  grieved  and  wounded  her,  enough  at  least  to 
bring  a  blush  to  their  cheeks,  of  what? 

Then  came  the  glees  and  carols  of  the  young 
choristers,  filling  the  hearts  of  their  elders  with  a  joy 
and  happiness  undefinable,  and  a  peace  with  which  to 
finish  the  hours  of  that  Christmas  day. 

The  benediction  then  pronounced,  in  almost  silence 
the  people  turned  to  go. 

Mr.  Tremaine  heard  one  old  man  repeat  to  himself, 


OUR   MABEL.  109 

"it  is  good  for  Christians  to  meet  together" — yes, 
thought  Mr.  Tremaine,  and  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
should  be  poured  upon  them  through  their  mingling 
magnetisms,  emanating  from  an  hour  of  time  when 
jealousies  are  laid  aside,  and  hatred  and  every  evil 
thing,  uniting  their  loving  thoughts  and  purest 
aspirations  for  the  divine,  not  only  above  them  but 
within  them,  fulfilling  the  law  for  its  descending 
influence,  and  receiving  its  holy  baptism, — aye,  good 
friends,  is  not  the  Comforter  come,  sent  from  the 
Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth  proceeding  from 
the  Father?  Brethren  how  long  before  thy  percep- 
tions awaken? 

Tom's  ea^er  heart  made  him  conscious  of  im- 
patience  at  the  slow  moving  throng,  and  when  at  last 
the  outer  door  was  gained  only  to  see  Mabel  escorted 
by  an  evident  admirer,  a  fountain  was  stirred  within 
him  of  whose  existance  he  had  never  dreamed,  creat- 
ing in  him  not  only  surprise  but  an  almost  terror  of 
himself. 

Pride  of  concealmen  t  lent  the  will-power  to  control 
himself,  and  apparently  listen  to  the  conversation 
between  Mr.  Tremaine  and  a  neighbor  walidng  along 
with  them,  an  incident  for  which  Tom  mentally 
blessed  the  said  neighbor. 

That  Mabel  might  have  admirers  and  perhaps  an 
accepted  suitor,  had  not  occurred  to  Tom  any  more 
than  he  w^as  prepared  to  make  known  his  own 
growing  feeling  toward  her.  He  had  recognized  his 
inspiration  in  her,  and  had  indulged  in  fancy's  bright 


110  OUR    MABEL. 

dreams  as  something  belonging  to  a  far  off  future,  to 
be  attained  through  patience,  labor  and  waiting. 

This  new  emotion  of  startled  fear,  an  imp  which 
hugs  to  the  heart,  and  pricks  it  to  tears,  when  its  love 
lies  endangered  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  rouses 
resistance  to  the  cause  that  would  rout  or  submerge 
its  fond  hopes. 

Poor  Auntie  "  Bet's  "  "  Christmas  fixings  "  were  to 
no  great  purpose  so  far  as  Tom  was  concerned,  for 
with  difficulty  he  made  even  the  pretense  of  eating, 
and  was  immensely  relieved  when  the  "  farce  "  was 
over  and  he  had  escaped  remark;  but  Mabel's  escort 
was  there  and  "  of  course  it  was  not  noticed  whether  I 
ate  or  not,"  and  upon  Mr.  Tremaine's  saying  that 
Tom  looked  weary,  probably  from  the  late  hours 
of  the  night  before,  and  the  early  ones  of  the  morning, 
and  kindly  advising  him  to  go  to  his  room  and  rest 
awhile,  his  heart  bitterly  replied,  "  there  is  a  purpose 
in  it,"  and  when  in  his  room  he  seriously  contem- 
plated the  getting  of  his  "things"  together,  and 
making  some  excuse,  start  back  to  the  city. 

But  love  and  pride  both  knocked  too  loudly  at  the 
door  of  his  heart,  with  firm  entreaty  to  admit  of  so 
rash  an  act, — one  saying,  "  oh  don't,  don't  leave  yet, 
stay  just  a  little  while  longer;"  the  other,  "  would  you 
show  your  folly,  would  you  be  willing  if  it  is  as  you 
suspect,  to  unmask  so  entirely  your  true  condition  of 
mind?  stay  I  beseech  you  and  show  yourself  a  man;  " 
so  pride  and  love  carried  the  day,  and  compelling  to 
quiet,  let  his  reason  have  sway. 


OUJJ   MABEL.  Ill 

Calmly  at  last,  lie  said  to  himself,  "  look  here  Tom, 
you  and  I  have  got  to  have  a  reckoning,  we  are  about 
to  have  a  smash  up,  shall,  if  we  go  on  in  this  fast 
style;  let  us  cool  down,  and  walk  quietly  and  not  get 
so  out  of  breath,  with  perhaps  but  the  shadow  of 
another  racer.  We  will  stop  and  reason  together,  and 
view  the  ground;  we  were  not  prepared  for  this, 
were  we  old  fellow?  How  foolish  and  dreamy  we 
were,  but  now  comes  the  question,  what  is  to  be 
done?  We  had  no  plan  or  definite  thought  Tom,  but 
now  in  one  hour  the  "  Fates "  compel  us.  Must 
we  enter  the  field  and  unseat  this  Hotspur?  What 
will  Mr.  Tremaine  think,  and  Miss  Mabel  herself; 
will  they  call  you  a  fool,  and  presumptuous,  will  they 
think  you've  enlarged  on  their  kindness  and  interest, 
and  have  taken  impertinence  in?  If  Mr.  Tremaine 
was  a  different  man,  was  a  common  man  indeed, 
we  should  fear  a  misconstruction  of  your  motive 
and  intentions, — but  you  are  a  man  Tom,  an 
awakened  one,  I  should  say,  and  I  should  also 
say>  y°u  ought  and  must  have  light  on  this  now 
serious  subject.     Now  what  are  you  going  to  do?  " 

"Let  us  consider" — suiting  action  to  word,  Tom 
put  himself  in  an  attitude  of  thought,  presently  the 
still  small  voice,  monitor  of  the  soul,  which  ever 
speaks  when  men  will  pause  to  listen,  bade  him 
"possess  his  soul  in  patience,"  nor  let  the  hot  winds 
of  desire  and  fear,  sweep  him  from  out  the  channel  of 
his  good  sense  and  judgment,  to  decide  as  yet  upon  no 
certain  step,  to  let  circumstance  and  time  decide  his 
movements  in  the  after  awhile." 


112  OUR    MABEL. 

And  thus,  as  he  listened,  his  soberer  senses  came 
aboard  his  tossing  ship  of  being,  and  calmed  the 
storm  which  had  so  suddenly  arisen. 

When  Tom  came  out  again  from  his  seclusion, 
none  but  an  intuitive  perception  could  have  noticed 
or  felt  there  was  aught  the  matter  with  him,  so  well 
and  naturally  did  he  carry  himself,  although  it  was 
hard  to  keep  his  balance,  -with  unequivocal  concern, 
when  Mabel  approached  him  as  he  entered  the  room, 
asking  if  he  was  ill,  notwithstanding  the  gentleman 
aforesaid  still  invaded  the  parlor  with  his  presence. 

Tom  was  manly  and  polite  to  him,  as  he  tried  to 
consider  him  favored  in  Mabel's  eyes,  and  sought  to 
find  what  worth  and  virtue  she  had  particularly 
discovered.  Thus  occupied,  the  afternoon  wore  away 
to  a  close  sooner  than  Tom  even  dreamed,  and  with  it 
the  source  of  his  trouble  and  woe.  A  sigh  from 
Mabel,  as  of  relief,  caught  Tom's  quick  ears,  when  the 
door  closed  behind  their  visitor,  which  most  unac- 
countably cheered  and  encouraged  him. 

It  was  Mabel's  turn  to  be  of  fitful  mood,  dropping 
continually  into  an  absent-mindedness  that  chagrined 
her  when  recalled  to  herself.  The  young  man  just 
gone  was  one  of  the  new  residents  of  Homer,  and 
rather  an  enterprising  and  worthy  young  fellow  as 
the  world  goes.  He  had  been  attracted  to  Mabel 
from  the  first  of  his  acquaintance  with  her,  although 
at  a  loss  often  to  fully  comprehend  her.  She  found 
in  him  only  an  agreeable  companion  for  a  short  hour, 
who  called  forth  nothing  of  her  deeper  and  more 
responsive  nature. 


OUR   MABEL.  113 

Lately  she  had  been  annoyed  at  his  more  special 
attention,  too  marked  for  a  doubt  of  his  intentions, 
and  with  girl-like  strategy  under  such  circumstances, 
had  striven  hard  to  ward  off  the  inevitable,  when  such 
natures  as  his  determine  their  plan. 

And  the  crisis  had  come  but  a  few  days  before  the 
holiday  festivities,  and  Mabel  had  met  it  as  best  she 
could,  expressing,  with  her  denial  of  all  such  hopes  as- 
the  young  man  had  entertained,  her  sincere  regret  and 
sorrow  for  anything  he  might  have  construed  into  ant 
encouragement  of  his  suit.  So  genuine  did  her 
regret  appear,  that  he  took  new  courage  instead  of 
owning  to  himself  defeat,  and  bethought  him  that  she 
might  relent,  and  yet  entertain  his  suit,  and  thus  it 
came  about,  his  call  and  stay  that  afternoon,  was  to 
renew  it,  if  opportunity  offered.  Mabel  had  not  as 
yet  informed  her  uncle  of  the  affair,  and  so  it 
happened  that  the  opportunity  did  occur,  which  might 
have  been  prevented. 

Ah!  Tom,  had  you  been  a  little  calmer  and  a  little 
wiser,  how  much  annoyance  you  might  have  saved 
from  Mabel,  and  have  kept  in  abeyance  the  tumult 
of  your  own  soul.  But  so  it  is,  one  must  learn  the 
lesson  through  the  suffering. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

DEVELOPED    AND    REQUITED    LOVE. 

Several  days  passed  on  in  the  usual  manner  of  Mr. 
Tremaine's  household,  only  that  Tom  was  more 
reticent,  and  more  watchful  of  Mabel's  every  move- 
ment, while  she  remained  unchanged  in  her  manner 
toward  him,  too  sister-like,  he  began  impatiently,  to 
think,  yet  gratified  that  she,  apparently,  thought  no 
less  of  him,  as  he  did  of  himself  for  his  changing 
moods. 

But  three  more  days  remained  to  Tom  of  his  visit, 
heart  and  brain  had  been  busy,  alike,  with  an  internal 
conflict,  and  he  had,  at  last,  come  to  one  decision, 
namely,  to  have  an  interview  with  his  kind  host,  and 
in  all  frankness,  state  to  him  his  case,  and  so  it  came 
about  that  Tom  very  quietly  asked  Mr.  Tremaine  if 
he  would  do  him  the  favor  of  taking  a  walk  with  him, 
and  then  repeated  what  we  already  know,  of  the 
growth  of  his  fancy  and  his  day  dreams,  and  at  the 
last,  reality;  adding  an  earnest  appeal  to  know  if  he 
had  aught  of  blame  to  give,  or  if  he  had  been  too 
presumptuous  in  his  friend's  estimation,  for  said  he, 
"I  realize,  Mr.  Tremaine,  the  great  debt  I  owe  you, 
for  had  it  not  been  for  your  goodness  to  me,  as  shown 
by  your  true  friendship  in  lifting  me  up,  as  it  were, 


OUR    MABEL.  115 

when  I  was  a  boy,  from  the  ground  on  which  I  sat, 
and  have  bidden  me  look  about;  and  for  jour  aid  and 
encouragement  further  on,  to  persevere  in  my  pro- 
gressive path,  I  should  not  stand  where  I  do 
to-day,  in  any  particular.  And  now  in  a  matter 
which  I  know  goes  right  to  your  heart,  I  crave  your 
friendship  still,  and  its  best  advice. 

To  say  that  Mr.  Tremaine  was  taken  entirely  by 
surprise,  would  not  be  strictly  true,  for  accustomed  as 
he  was  to  go  beneath  the  surface  of  men  and  things, 
in  discovery  of  cause,  and  noting  effects,  expanding 
thereby  his  intuition,  he  could  not  fail  to  catch,  in  a 
measure,  the  tone  and  tendencies  of  Tom's  expanding 
lieart  life. 

There  was  a  moment  of  silence,  indeed  several 
of  them,  anxious  ones  to  Tom,  before  Mr.  Tremaine 
made  any  answer,  then  it  was  to  assure  him  he  could 
not  blame  him  for  his  attraction  toward  his  beloved 
child,  nor  with  his  ideas  of  life,  be  willing  to  call  him 
presumptuous,  "  but  further  than  this  I  cannot  go, 
for  Mabel  has  been  trained  to  think  and  act  for 
herself,  and  she  generally  does  so  deliberately,  so  that 
I  have  little  fear  for  her  decisions.  If  she  gives 
you  encouragement,  then  I  will  say  'God  speed,' 
if  not,  Tom,  you  must  exercise  all  your  manhood  to 
overcome  any  other  feeling  than  that  of  disinterested 
friendship." 

Truth  to  tell  however,  Mr.  Tremaine  thought  he 
had  discovered  symptoms  in  Mabel,  as  well,  of  a 
growing   attachment,    which   argued   well  for    Tom, 


116  OUR   MABEL. 

though  he  gave  no  sign,  neither  any  that  he  himself 
would  be  well  pleased  at  a  favorable  result,  as  was 
actually  the  case. 

And  so  the  matter  rested  until  Tom  could  plead  his 
own  suit  before  "  Our  Mabel,"  with  what  result  we 
have  already  seen,  for  it  was  as  Tom's  wife  that 
Mabel  had  called  on  Jennie,  and  Tom's  children  who 
were  so  gladdened  by  their  mother's  return  home. 

This  year  became  an  important  era  to  another 
still,  the  loving,  gentle  May.  She  had  reached  the 
cross-road  of  her  life  to  which  the  finger  of  her  des- 
tiny pointed  as  the  path  for  her  to  tread,  and  so  with 
a  chosen  companion,  she  cheerfully,  happily  and  hope- 
fully gathered  up  her  heart's  forces  to  journey  whither 
its  turnings  might  lead. 

To  a  city  life  the  hrst  way-mark  led,  there  to  estab- 
lish a  home  wherein  to  exercise  all  the  sweets  of  her 
trusting  nature,  and  in  daily  communion  with 
another  mind,  ajl  her  latent  power  of  thought  and 
conception. 

A  natural  and  praiseworthy  interest  asks,  what 
manner  of  partner  May's  heart  had  chosen?  Answer 
comes  back,  one  whose  pure  and  lofty  ideas  of  woman- 
hood makes  him  reverent  of  her  position  and  endow- 
ments, therefore  worthy  the  boon  of  her  love.  Worthy 
to  receive  it,  and  therefore  worthy  to  aid  her. 

Carleton  is  the  name  by  which  he  is  known,  and 
the  one  to  which  May  Osgood  now  sweetly  responds. 
Mrs.  Carleton,  May  Carleton,  though  to  a  city  fled,  is- 
not  where  her  sister  dwells.     There  her  husband,  who 


OUR   MABEL. 


117 


is  a  physician  by  nature,  as  by  name,  returns  to  his 
practice  among  the  many  who  have  learned  to  trust 
and  love  his  ministrations  of  healing;  let  us  congrat- 
ulate him  on  his  happy  choice  of  a  help  meet  for  him 
in  his  arduous  calling. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osgood  are  looking  upon  the  shady 
side  of  life,  and  feel  to  the  utmost  the  loss  from 
out  the  old  nest  of  their  treasured  birdlings,  but 
more  especially  the  flight  of  May,  who  had  become, 
since  Jennie  married  away,  a  supreme  source  of  their 
comfort  and  happiness,  and  had  unconsciously  leaned 
upon  her  more  than  they  were  aware,  until  obliged 
to  part  with  her.  The  mansion  has  a  stillness 
now  that  afflicts  them  sorely  at  times,  but  in  all 
these  changing  years  the  father  and  mother  have 
grown  more  and  more  into  each  other's  lives,  as  they 
have  pondered  more,  and  discussed,  the  myriad  ways 
of  life — have  looked  into  and  imbibed  somewhat 
of  their  valued  friend's  ideas  and  mode  of  reasoning, 
much  of  which  sustains  and  comforts  them  now  in 
their  changed  home-life. 

One  "skeleton"  in  their  closet  has  also  had  its 
influence  in  cementing  more  closely  their  aging 
lives,  the  vagueness  of  a  fear,  unshapen,  but  terrible, 
regarding  results  of  Jennie's  marriage.  Her  visits 
home  had  gradually  ceased,  and  letters  remained 
unanswered  for  a  longer  time,  for  both,  excuses 
many  were  applied,  and  although  the  careful  wording 
of  these  infrequent  missives  opened  no  door  for 
inquiry,  yet  the  quick  hearts  of  parental  love   had 


118  OUR   MABEL. 

pierced  the  veil  of  language,  sufficiently  to  discover  a 
wound  of  some  sort,  which  did  not  heal  as  time 
passed  on. 

Mr.  Osgood  grew  restless  and  almost  remorseful,, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  were,  at  times,  aroused  to  a 
horrible  fear  that  they  may  have  too  lightly  thrown 
their  daughter's  happiness  into  the  hands  of  a  com- 
parative stranger,  while  on  the  wave  of  an  excitement, 
prompted  by  her  own  glowing  heart-vision.  Time- 
passed  on,  and  Mr.  Osgood  hearing  that  Tom  Joiner 
was  to  remove  to  the  same  city  where  Jennie  lived, 
wrote  to  Mabel  requesting  that  she  see  her  at  the 
earliest  moment  convenient,  and  then  inform  him 
how  she  appeared  as  to  health  and  happiness. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


In  the  evening  of  the  o! ay  on  which  Mabel  made 
her  visit  to  Jennie,  and  after  the  babies  were  safely 
ensconced  in  bed,  she  sat  down  for  a  quiet  chat  with 
Tom,  who  had  already  donned  his  dressing  gown  and 
slippers,  with  which  he  loved  to  encase  himself,  be- 
cause the  work  and  gift  of  wifely  hands.  This  hour 
of  the  day  was  the  realization  of  his  youthful  dreams, 
his  "apples  of  gold,"  and  "pictures  of  silver,"  of 
whose  contemplation  and  enjoyment  he  never  tired. 
Daily  did  his  heart  throb  and  swell  with  thankful  joy, 
for  the  treasure  bestowed  upon  him  of  Mabel's  love, 
and  the  other  treasures  as  fruit  of  their  united  lives. 
Tenderness  marked  his  every  act  toward  her,  and  a 
deference  born  of  deep  respect,  mingled  with  a  faith- 
ful love. 

Mabel  recounted  every  particular  of  her  visit,  and 
the  impressions  that  it  made  upon  her. 

"That  something  is  altogether  wrong,  Tom,  in  her 
married  life,  I  feel  quite  sure,  but  how  can  I  write 
this  to  Mr.  Osgood,  when  I  have  nothing  definite  to 
state,  neither  do  I  like  to  help  on  a  deception  which 
Jennie  has  felt  compelled  to  undertake,  and  yet  it 
may  be  best  to  only  state,  for  the  present,  the  facts 


120  OUR   MABEL. 

concerning  her  health,  or  until  more  light  falls  upon 
my  comprehension,  for  I  must  write,  and  that  soon, 
as  the  dear  people,  no  doubt,  are  already  looking  for 
some  word  from  me.  Jennie  has  promised  to  ride  out 
to  our  home  and  bring  her  children.  I  imagine  it  will 
be  a  gala  day  for  them,  poor  things,  and  she!  why,  it 
seems  to  me  that  she  needs  almost  everything 
that  money  cannot  buy,  affection,  sympathy, 
tender  treatment,  yet  I  may  be  wrong,  and  the 
source  of  her  trouble  be  something  of  an  entirely 
different  nature,  but  this  is  how  I  feel  about  her." 

"Can't  you  persuade  her,  Mabel,  to  make  you  a 
visit  of  a  week  or  so?  I  am  sure  your  ministrations 
will  be  pleasant  to  her  under  any  circumstances." 

"  I  shall  try,  I  had  thought  that  when  she  is  spend- 
ing the  day  with  me  I  would  urge  her  acceptance  of 
an  invitation  for  a  visit  of  longer  duration.  How 
strangely  Tom,  the  lives  of  individuals  turn  out;  so 
different  too,  from  what  they  plan  or  expect  for  them- 
selves. Poor  Jennie,  so  full  of  life,  fun  and  merri- 
ment in  her  girlhood  days,  is  now  the  very  contrast 
of  her  former  self,  a  pale,  quiet,  saddened  woman;  and 
the  cause,  is  now  the  mystery.  It  must  be  some 
disappointment  in  life,  a  heart  trouble,  for  all  things 
else  she  possesses  to  overflowing,  it  must  be  something 
that  money  cannot  buy,  or  redress." 

"I  fear  it  is,  Mabel,  how  well  I  remember  her  on 
the  day  of  your  birthday  party,  when  I,  a  big  awkward 
fellow,  could  only  approach  her  with  my  eyes,  so  full 
of  gaiety  and  fun  was  she,  and  wonder  at  the  conde- 


OUR    MABEL.  121 

her  part.  What  a  party  that  was 
Mabel,  come  to  think  of  it,  I  wonder  if  Homer  ever 
did  have,  before  or  since,  another  like  it.  It  was 
the  making  and  beginning  of  me,  yonr  humble  ser- 
vant ma'am,  it  set  me  on  my  feet  and  told  me  to  go, 
and  keep  on  going,  until  I  got,  where?  Why,  right 
here,  with  my  blessed  wife  and  two  precious  babies, 
and  then  to  take  them  along  for  company,  cheer,  and 
life  itself. 

"  But  for  that  party  Mabel,  love,  my  darling  wife,  I 
should  never  have  held  you  here  in  my  arms,  as  I  do 
this  minute,  nor  met  the  answering  look,  which  tells 
that  you  do  love  your  bold  and  awkward  Tom. 

"  Ah  yes,  it  is  strange,  all  of  it  strange,  true  and 
beautiful. 

"  I  wonder  what  has  become  of  the  many  others  that 
were  present  then,  and  what  effect  if  any,  that  after- 
noon had  upon  their  lives. 

"  Of  one  we  know,  and  that,  that  hour  and  day 
made  for  my  Mabel,  a  devoted  and  attached  friend  of 
Julia  Howard,  how  faithful  the  tender  care  of  our 
little  ones  is  daily  proof." 

"  Yes,  Tom,  Julia  is  indeed  a  faithful  ana  sweet  girl, 
just  such  an  one  as  little  children  should  have  about 
them.  I  dread  to  think  I  may  have  to  part  with 
her  some  day,  while  still  I  sincerely  hope,  that  she 
may  yet  have  a  loving  husband,  and  a  sweet  little 
home  of  her  own,  to  tend  and  bless  with  her  loving 
ministrations. 

"It  was   hard   for  her  to  .ose  parents   and  home 


122  OUR   MABEL. 

almost  at  one  blow,  but  how  much  Larder  it  could 
have  been,  had  she  not  already  conceived  and  put  in 
practice,  the  idea  of  supporting  herself. 

"  And  when  dear  uncle  Tremaine  opened  his  doors 
to  shelter  her,  how  little  did  we  then  dream  of  what 
she  was  to  become  to  me,  so  sweet  and  gentle  a  friend 
and  sympathizer,  through  every  care  and  sickness.  I 
declare,  Tom,  we  don't  half  appreciate  people,  I  do 
believe  if  we  treated  everybody  rig] it,  we  would  get  at 
the  heart  side  of  natures,  oftener  than  we  do. 

When  an  emotion  of  philanthropy,  for  instance, 
comes  over  us,  and  we  long  to  do  something  for  our 
fellow  creatures,  we  begin  casting  about  for  some  far 
off,  or  out  of  the  way  mission  to  perform,  entirely 
overlooking  the  work  that  confronts  us  every  day,  in 
phase  of  familiar  faces,  and  persons  and  conditions. 
A  lady  friend  told  me  once  how  this  desire  would 
frequently  come  over  her,  from  childhood  to  her  ma- 
turer  years;  that  she  was  always  careful  not  to  send 
any  one  away  from  her  doors  asking  for  bread,  lest 
unawares  she  sent  some  angel  forth;  that  she  strove 
to  be  kind  and  thoughtful  of  her  servants,  and  to  do 
her  whole  duty  toward  them  and  others. 

"  She  had  been  inspired  by  this  not  unusual  humane 
feeling,  for  some  days,  and  was  looking  about,  wonder- 
ing what  there  was  for  her  to  do,  that  was  in  her 
power  to  perform;  they  had  in  their  employ  on  their 
country  place,  a  man  of  French  descent,  whose  forget- 
f ulness,  together  with  an  almost  unpardonable  negli- 
gence of  his  dress,  so  irritated  her,  that   she   felt  no 


OUR   MABEL.  123 

longer  any  patience,  and  had  made  up  her  mind  to  ask 
her  husband  to  discharge  him.  She  said  too,  that  the 
man  could  not  see  very  well  out  of  one  eye,  but  she 
had  never  made  any  inquiry  concerning  it. 

"  One  morning,  as  usual,  she  accompanied  her  hus- 
band in  their  carriage  to  the  depot,  on  his  way  to  busi- 
ness in  town,  this  same  man  driving;  being  detained 
a  little  while  in  the  village,  she  fell  into  a  contempla- 
tive mood,  wThen  the  desire  to  be  up  and  doing  some- 
thing, again  possessed  her;  and  a  saddened  feeling 
beside,  that  she  was  utterly  unable  to  do  much  that 
she  could  see  ought  to  be  clone,  and  that  she  would  do, 
did  the  means  lie  within  her  reach. 

"  Just  then  she  wTas  startled,  not  by  words,  not  by 
sound,  but  an  impression  as  strong  as  either.  '  The 
poor  ye  have  always  with  you.'  'Whatsoever  thou 
doest  unto  the  least  of  these,  thou  doest  unto  me.' 
'  Charity  beginneth  ever  at  home.' 

"  Why,  thought  she,  what  is  it  I  ought  to  do  and 
have  not  done,  let  me  think,  and  then  suddenly,  the 
Frenchman,  coming  from  an  errand,  caught  her  eye,, 
and  the  feeling  toward  him  was  coming  back,  but  she 
checked  it,  saying  to  herself,  I  wonder  if  it  is  for  him  I 
ought  to  think  and  do;  I  will  speak  kindly  going 
home,  and  try  to  learn  more  about  him. 

"  Putting  the  thought  into  practice,  she  was  greatly 
surprised  to  see  the  man  touched  to  tears,  while  he 
exclaimed:  '  Oh  !  madam,  I  know  you  are  often  vexed 
with  me  because  I  forget  so  quick,  but  indeed  madam 
I  try  not  to,  but  I  cannot  remember  anything  long 
ever  since  I  had  the  bullet  shot  in  my  head.' 


124  OUR   MABEL. 

'  Bullet  shot  !'  she  exclaimed,  and  then  he  showed 
an  ugly  scar  just  concealed  beneath  his  hair. 

"  Thus  she  ascertained,  that  he  had  served  in  war,  and 
was  injured  for  life,  that  he  was  entitled  to  a  pension, 
but  did  not  know  how  or  to  whom  to  appeal,  to  pro- 
cure it;  also  that  his  poverty  was  such,  that  he  had 
no  clothing  save  what  was  on  his  back. 

"  Here  was  work  indeed,  and  she  lost  no  time  in 
supplying  clean  clothes  from  her  husband's  cast  off 
garments. 

Her  husband  undertook  and  succeeded  in  securing- 

o 

the  pension  due  to  the  poor  man,  and  when  he  had 
no  further  use  for  him,  found  a  place  for  him  in  a 
restaurant,  where  he  could  earn  a  living  in  his  legiti- 
mate  calling,  as  cook. 

"  So  Tom,  onr  charitable  work  lies  oftenest  at  our 
very  doors,  waiting  for  us  to  take  it  up,  while  our 
minds  and  inclination  are  looking  far  beyond,  to  that 
which  is  only  to  be  dreamed  of,  because  out  of  reach." 

"  Yes  darling,  your  friend's  experience  is  a  lesson 
for  us  to  contemplate,  not  only,  but  one  to  instill  upon 
the  hearts  of  our  little  ones,  in  their  coming  years. 
O  !  Mabel,  how  those  precious  children  do  grow  into 
my  heart;  and  they  make  me  yearn  for  a  better  man- 
hood in  myself,  that  they  may  receive  from  their 
father  what  his  hand  and  life  should  give  of  pure 
example  and  lofty  purpose." 

"Yes,  Tom,  dear,  we  will  strive  hard  to  give  to  our 
children  their  just  due,  through  a  constant  watchful- 
ness over  ourselves  in  all  things,  that  we  may  inspire 


OUR   MABEL. 


125 


their  young  hearts,  daily,   to  an  appreciation  of  the 
beautiful,  true  and  noble  in  life." 

"  Ah,  you  have  it  now,  Mabel,   inspire,  that  is  the 
word." 

"  Yes,  I  have  always  had  an  idea,  or  a  feeling,  that  if 
God  ever  blessed  me  with  children,  I  could  and  would 
inspire  them  daily,  that  it  should  be  my  main  work 
in  life  so  to  do ;  and  now  that  I  am  so  blessed  the  feel- 
ing is  ten-fold  more  strong.  Our  boy  manifests,  to 
my  great  joy,  some  effect  of  such  efforts  already;  bless 
his  curly  head.  Our  next  neighbor's  five-year-old 
Bessie  came  up  to  our  front  gate  this  morning  quite 
early,  and  seeing  Tremaine  asked  him  to  come  over  to* 
her  house  and  play  with  her,  he  replied : 
"  <  No,  I  touldnV  " 
"  <  Why  not,'  "  she  asked. 

"  <  Mama  wouldn't  like  it.  She  told  me  to  stay  right 
here.' " 

"  '  Well,  never  mind  that, '  Bessie  said,  '  Your 
mama  won't  care.  I  often  go  to  places  without  asking 
my  mama.'  " 

The  little  fellow  seemed  to  swell  up,  almost  as  big 
again,  as  he  said: 

lt '  Bessie  Felton,  I  wish  I  was  your  mama,  and  I 
would  teach  you  it  wasn't  hon-honorably,  that's  what 
my  mama  calls  it,  to  run  away  from  a  place  where 
your  mama,  or  papa  either,  tells  you  to  stay,  and  1 
wouldn't,  not  if  she  let  me  stay  here  all  day,  and  all 
night,  too  ' — and  his  big  blue  eyes  filled  with  tears  at 
the  bare  thought  of  being  forgotten.      " '  Cause  my 


126  OUR   MABEL. 

mama  says,  mow  Tremmy  you  may  go  in  the  yard  to 
play,  I  am  going  to  be  very  busy,  and  no  one  will 
watch  yon,  but  I  know  I  can  trust  you  not  to  go  out- 
side the  gate,'  and  does  you  think  I  would  do  it,  Bessie 
Felton  ?  I  wouldn't  do  it,  most  if  God  should  tell  me 
to." 

"  Just  then  Bessie  was  called  home,  and  started  off 
rather  guiltily.  Our  boy  stood  still  at  the  gate 
some  moments,  but  what  were  his  thoughts,  we  may 
never  know. 

"I  happened  to  be  passing  the  window,  and  noticed 
that  he  was  looking  at  something  very  intently,  which 
he  had  on  a  small  piece  of  wood.  I  started  out  to  see 
what  it  was  that  so  interested  him,  when  Bessie  came 
up,  and  as  neither  of  them  saw  me,  I  thought  the 
effect  upon  both  would  be  better  if  they  did  not  know 
of  my  hearing  what  had  passed.' 

"  Bless  my  little  nobleman,  and  bless  the  wondrous 
love  and  intuition  of  his  mother's  heart." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


When  Mabel  had  bidden  Jennie  good  morning,  and 
passed  out  into  the  street,  the  latter  with  a  heavy  sigh 
turned  in  an  absent  manner,  and  entered  her  spacious 
parlors;  slowly  she  walked  their  length,  and  only 
halted  when  the  farther  wTall  opposed  her,  standing 
incognizant  of  the  fact,  or  of  any  beauty  that  sur- 
rounded her,  as  she  gazed  at  the  statuette  before  her 
with  incomprehension,  her  senses  inert  as  those  of  that 
marble  form. 

Gradually,  however,  the  image  was  reported  to  the 
returning  sense,  and  as  she  took  it  in,  she  exclaimed: 
"  Ah,  yes,  fit  emblem  art  thou  of  my  own  sad  life, 
chained,  and  with  links  as  strong  as  thine,  oh,  Greek 
slave.  Slave  !  Yes,  I  have  said  it.  Slave,  fettered 
and  chained  by  will,  and  force  and  fashion,  and  the 
chains  clank  and  bear  so  heavily,  that  when  I  would 
but  raise  my  hand  in  remonstrance,  or  appeal,  they 
weigh  me  to  the  earth  again.  Oh,  Harry  !  how  little 
do  you  know  of  the  depths  of  a  woman's  awakened 
heart,  while  you  think  and  truly  believe  she  should  be 
proud  and  happy  in  her  golden  bonds — and  they  may 
seem  golden  to  others,  yet  how  they  gall  and  cut  to  my 
soul.     O,  mother  !  mother  !  why  did  you  not  tell  me 


128  OUR   MABEL. 

something  of  the  ways  of  life,  something  that  would 
have  checked  the  giddy  flow  of  unrestrained  girlish 
spirits,  and  have  caused  more  earnest  thought  upon 
the  fatal  step  in  a  woman's  life,  if  she  knows  not  her- 
self, or  others.  Then  !  then,  perhaps,  I  could  in  our 
first  happy  days  have  gotten  Harry  to  think  too,  and 
together  planned  and  lived  so  differently  from  now. 
O,  Harry  ?  I  do  love  you,  with  all  this  galling  bit- 
terness, and  God  grant—  "  Starting  with  affright  as 
her  voice  framed  that  name,  she  repeated  most  sol- 
emnly,— "  Yes,  God  grant,  what  I  do  not  deserve, 
through  my  forgetlulness  of  His  power  and  presence 
in  all  things.  Will  I  mock  him  now,  if  I  go  to  him 
and  lay  my  troubles  at  His  feet,  as  in  my  childish 
days,  when  I  could  not  sleep  until  I  had  said  my, 
4  Pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  keep?'  Strange  that  I 
should  have  forgotten.  The  very  thought  softens  and 
relieves  my  heart,  that  into  one  ear  ever  ready  to  lis- 
ten to  human  cries  and  askings,  I  may  pour  my  soul's 
trouble.  Yes,  I  will  find  my  closet,  and  will  pray 
daily,  and  see  what  God  will  do  for  me,  who  alone 
can  do  anything." 

Again  she  turned,  and  slowly,  with  this  mood  of 
mind  upon  her,  passed  out  of  the  room  and  up  to  her 
own  apartments. 

She  did  not  notice  the  eyes  bent  upon  her  from  a 
shaded  alcove  in  the  parlor,  nor  hear  the  impatient 
voice  as  she  passed  on  exclaim,  u  Humph  !  that  was 
tragic.  Since  when,  I  wonder,  has  my  lady  taken  it 
into  her  head  to  go  upon  the  stage;  or  is  it  some  pri 


OUR   MABEL.  129 

vate  theatrical  she  is  preparing  for,  but  she  ought  to 
know  that  I  would  never  consent  for  my  wife  to  take 
part  in  any  such  performances.  Still,  it  is  strange. 
What  did  she  mean  by  saying,  '  O,  Harry,  I  love  you 
with  all  this  galling  bitterness.'  Can  she  find  nothing 
better  than  personalities,  and  must  needs  drag  my 
name  into  the  performance?  No,  madam,  you've 
made  a  mistake  in  your  infatuation.  I  shall  nip  this 
thing  in  the  bud." 

Suiting  action  to  word,  Jennie's  husband  started 
out  with  a  bound,  intent  upon  fulfilling  this  resolve, 
and  nearing  Jennie's  dressing  room,  which  he  had  to 
pass,  (the  soft-padded  carpet  had  not  echoed  his  foot- 
steps) he  heard  her  voice,  as  in  tearful  but  subdued 
supplication,  so  that  even  he  dared  not  intrude  upon 
her  now. 

"Confound  it  !  what  does  all  this  mean;  puling 
tears,  '  galling  bitterness,'  '  clanking  though  golden 
chains,'  '  fettered  by  force  and  will,'  '  awakened  wo- 
man's heart.'  Indeed,  and  has  it  been  asleep  all  this 
time?  And  what  has  opened  its  sight  to  behold  all 
these  tragic  things.  Can  it  be  possible  !  that  I  may 
yet  have  to  patronize  a  lunatic  asylum?" 

The  bare  thought  brought  a  reversing  wave  of 
feeling,  which  for  the  moment  swelled  within  his 
breast,  and  brought  the  puling  tears  to  his  own 
eyes,  at  the  remembrance  of  the  laughing  light-hearted 
girl,  whom  he  took  for  his  bride,  while,  for  the  first 
time,  the  contrast  of  a  saddened  woman,  though  still 
gentle  and  winning,  bore  down  upon  him. 


130  OCR   MABEL. 


Thus  for  one  moment  his  angel  of  light  had  im- 
pressed her  finger  and  reversed  the  action  of  a  heart, 
most  truly  alive  to  the  world's  advantages  of  position, 
wealth  and  influence,  and  gave  him  the  first  compre- 
hension of  the  possibility  of  aught  deeper,  purer  and 
more  satisfying. 

It  was  but  for  a  moment;  in  that  time  it  had  passed 
away.  Yet  it  was  to  remain  unblotted,  down  in  the 
casket  of  experience,  though  buried  and  soiled  in  the 
dust  of  time  and  worldly  interest,  to  spring  forth  with 
an  electric  flash  from  its  magnetic  force,  when  his 
angel  of  light  should  count  all  of  the  few  beads  of  his 
soul's  purest  thought. 

Jennie's  husband  now  decided  to  be  silent  on  the 
subject  of  what  he  had  seen  and  heard,  though  sorely 
puzzled.  He  had  imagined  not  only  that  lie  had  an 
obedient  wife,  but  one  to  whom,  in  justice  let  it  be 
said  of  him,— he  thought  he  was  giving  all  and  every- 
thing a  wife  could  want;  though  exacting  in  return, 
implicit  and  unquestioning  obedience  to  his  own  de- 
sires and  thought.  How  little  did  he  know  of  him- 
self, or  his  wifely  companion. 

O,  prayer  !  beautiful  capability  of  the  human  soul, 
gift  from  the  hand  of  the  Almighty,  bestowed  as  a 
talismanic  wand  with  which  to  touch  the  throne,  and 
claim  attention  of  the  Source  of  life,  the  «  All  in  All," 
whose  assistance  and  protection  is  pledged  with  the 
gift  to  mortals,  whenever  lifted  toward  Heaven. 

Thus  to  Jennie  there  came,  while  yet  in  the  attitude 
of  prayer,  swift  messengers  from  life's  deep  Source, 


OUR   MABEL.  131 

to  burn  incense  about  her  form,  soothing  the  stings 
and  cuts  of  ignorance,  and  enkindling  the  faint  hope 
that  was  seeking  but  a  quiet  grave.  The  right  chord 
was  touched,  the  right  spring  pressed  in  Jennie's 
heart;  and  thus  the  daily  panoramic  views  of  retro 
spection  that  passed  before  the  eye  of  memory,  served 
truly,  in  impressing  their  needed  lessons  upon  her 
being. 

But  this  awakening,  and  gradual  perception  of  her 
own  needs  and  capabilities  was  not  to  end  the  inward 
struggles  of  her  heart,  for  in  proportion  to  growth  in- 
teriorly is  the  spirit  cognizant  of  inappreciatior,.,want 
•of  sympathy,  uncongenial  tastes,  where  it  was  slightly 
noticed  before.  Like  a  terrible  nightmare  of  start- 
ling visions,  came  frighting  phantoms  that  a  fettered 
life  had  bound  her  to,  unless  with  her,  the  husband 
could  grow  to  change. 

O,  ye  happily  mated  ones,  start  not,  neither  shun 
those  whose  fate  is  less  happy,  whose  hearts  are  as 
yearning,  and  perhaps  more  yearning  than  yours;  as 
capable  of  the  highest  appreciation  of  love  and  life, 
yet  doomed  through  ignorance,  or  mistake,  their  own, 
or  others,  to  wear  chains  that  not  only  unlit  them  for 
this  life  of  probation,  but  hangs  the  head  so  low, 
and  crushes  the  spirit  so  deep,  that  often  no  seraph 
wings  can  grow,  to  plume  themselves  for  a  flight  to 
Heaven,  when  earthly  scenes  are  done.  But  if, 
through  the  purging  fires  at  last,  they  do  reach  that 
future  goal;  may  not  the  Almighty  place  a  more  glit- 
tering  crown  upon  the  brows  of  the  more  tempted. 


132  OUR   MABEL. 

more  suffering  ones,  than  upon  those  who  have  passed 
this  earthly  sphere,  good  because  less  tempted  and 
tried,  saintly,  because  of  less  keen  sensibilities,  or  the 
blessings  bestowed  by  worthy  and  good  progenitors? 

According  to  promise,  Jennie,  with  her  two  children, 
drove  out  to  Mabel's  residence  one  balmy  day,  where 
the  little  ones  were  made  wild  with  delight  and  aston- 
ishment at  the,  to  them,  new  beauties  of  garden  and 
orchard,  and  little  Tremaine  was  made  to  feel  his  im- 
portance as  host,  while  answering  their  questions  on 
matters  in  which  he  was  quite  at  home. 

Meanwhile,  Mabel  and  Jennie  had  broken  much  of 
the  ice  formed  by  time,  distance,  and  non-intercourse 
during  the  past  few  years,  and  Jennie  was  really  be- 
ginning to  feel  more  like  her  former  self,  and  occa- 
sionally a  flow  of  impulse  so  tingled  her  veins,  as  to 
render  it  almost  impossible  for  her  to  resist  a  deeper 
confidence  than  had  as  yet  passed  between  them. 

Before  the  day  was  passed,  Jennie's  promise  had 
been  given,  for  another  and  longer  visit,  some  weeks 
later,  for  herself  and  little  ones. 

When  she  had  gone,  Mabel  sat  down  and  thus  wrote 
to  her  Uncle  Tremaine: 

"  Dear,  Dear  Uncle: 

How  I  do  want  to  see  you,  and  have  you  near  me 
always,  but  more  especially  now.  I  want  your  inspi- 
ration, your  wisdom,  your  love,  to  work  their  wonders 
of  peace  and  quiet,  not  only  in  my  own  soul,  but  in 
another's,  and  that  other,  our  friend  Jennie,  of  whom 
I  have  already  written  you. 

"  She  has  been  out  to  our  little  nest  with  her  poor,. 


OUR   MABEL.  133 

starved  babies;  starved  for  want  of  healthy  pure  air, 
and  freedom  of  limb,  and  they  all  seemed  not  only 
pleased  with  the  change,  but  benefitted  by  the  relaxa- 
tion from  mere  elegance  and  propriety.  Jennie  has 
promised  to  come  again  for  a  visit  of  several  days, 
and  I  am  so  glad  that  yon  are  to  be  with  me  then. 
Perhaps,  if  she  thought  to  meet  you,  she  would  shrink, 
as  she  does  from  all  thought  in  connection  with  her 
home  and  its  past,  and  yet,  once  met,  I  feel  sure  that 
she  will  be  glad  at  last,  and  the  closed  springs  of  her 
nature  will  again  flow  out  in  ripplings  that  will  gain 
in  their  silvery  tones,  as  thought  and  a  truer  life  as- 
sert their  sway.  O,  my  dear  uncle,  what  a  strange 
world  is  this.  My  heart  aches — aches,  when  I  look 
about  me  and  read,  in  almost  every  life,  a  sorrow 
through  some  apparent  wrong,  and  dared  I  judge  of 
this  apparentness  in  considering  the  miseries  of  the 
world,  my  own  soul  could  not  withold  the  question  of 
God's  justice  toward  those  whom  His  hand  hath  crea- 
ted. But  thanks  to  your  teaching,  I  feel  that  what, 
thoughtlessly,  we  would  condemn  as  injustice,  is  in 
truth  but  God's  eternal  justice,  purchased  through  ex- 
act fulfillment  of  all  His  laws,  and  that  through  afflic- 
tions are  we  taught  the  design  of  His  laws,  which  are 
perfect  and  unchangeable. 

"  Fulfilling  those  laws  intended  for  our  health  and 
happiness,  though  restraining,  we  are  given  health; 
disobeying  which,  we  stumble  upon  others  as  inexora- 
ble, which  bring  in  our  misery;  is  this  not  so,  dear 
uncle  ?  O,  there  is  so  much  I  want  your  thought  about, 
that  I  count  the  days  and  hours  to  your  coming.  Pre- 
pare yourself  for  renewed  entreaties  and  arguments  to 
remain  with  us  always.  Perhaps,  and  I  will  hope  it, 
that  the  tendrils  on  our  household  vine,  will  so  cling 
and  wind  themselves  about  you,  that  you  cannot  tear 
away  and  leave  them  brukeu  and  bleeding.     Our  boy 


134  OUR   MABEL. 

is  after  your  own  heart  I  know,  and  you  will  be  sur- 
prised at  the  change  in  the  little  fellow,  in  the  few- 
months  since  you  saw  him,  and  the  baby  May  is  no 
end  of  delight. 

"Tom,  as  you  have  probably  heard  from  his  own 
pen,  is  doing  very  well  for  the  length  of  time  we  have 
been  here.  I  prophesy  a  fair  success  for  him,  for  I 
know  that  the  esteem  of  the  business  men  with  whom 
he  comes  in  contact,  cannot  fail  to  be  his. 

"As  a  general  thing,  Tom  leaves  all  thoughts  of 
business  at  his  office,  and  our  evenings  are  an  anticipated 
delight,  through  the  day,  to  us  both.  Then  we  read 
together  and  moralize;  and  bring  in  your  imagined 
opinion  no  little.  Two  or  three  questions  we  have 
saved  up  to  get  your  opinion  upon,  to  see  which,  if 
either  of  us,  is  right.  ~But  we  have  promised  there 
shall  be  no  war  in  our  heaven,  or  matter  to  create  one, 
should  either  come  out  victorious. 

I  must  end  this  epistle,  for  there  comes  Tom  up  tho 
garden  walk,  who  is  very,  very  late,  to  my  great  dis- 
appointment, because  he  lias  missed  seeing  Jennie, 
and  because  he  has  not  so  comfortable  a  dinner  as  he 
might  have  had  with  us.  Now,  you  see  he  did  not 
come  up  to  the  law  which  declares,  that  dinner  just 
done  and  immediately  served,  is  the  best,  consequently 
must  abide  by  the  next  in  order,  which  bids  him  take, 
and  suffer,  that  which  is  not  quite  so  good  through 
keeping,  but  better  than  none  at  all;  which  would  have 
been  his  lot  had  he  not  obeyed  the  law  making  it  nec- 
essary to  come  after  it.  Enough.  I  must  away.  You 
see  how  matter  of  fact  I  am.  Won't  1  make  a  philos- 
opher some  day  ?    Aye,  of  my  hoy,  I  hope. 

Your  own  loving  child, 

Mabel ." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

D  VISIT  TO  MABEL UNCLE  TREMAINE. 

But  Time  rolls  evenly  and  heedlessly  on  through 
daylight  and  darkness,  sunshine  and  cloud,  nor  hastens 
nor  slackens  his  speed  for  sorrows  that  crush,  for  bur- 
dens that  are  heavy,  for  joy's  happy  wing,  or  for  love's 
strong  appeal. 

O,  relentless  Time,  stern  master  of  worlds,  how 
many  altars  have  ye  builded,  how  many  stricken 
down,  how  many  hearts  have  ye  lightened  and  blessed, 
how  many  laid  low  in  the  dust,  or  impressed  with  dark 
fears  of  vaguest  unrest,  in  your  going  yet  ever  coining 
of  that  space  in  our  reckoning,  "  2,  few  weeks"  between 
the  first  visit  of  our  friend  Jennie,  to  the  now,  as  we 
find  her,  seemingly  content  and  more  happy  at  the 
close  of  the  third  day  of  her  promised  long  visit. 

Jennie  and  Mabel  with  work  in  their  hands  had 
been  sitting  for  a  few  moments  in  silence,  if  the  virid 
action  of  thought,  may  be  deemed  silence — when 
Jennie  exclaimed,  "  O,  Mabel  what  a  good,  good  uncle 
is  yours,  I  feel  as  if  I  could  lay  bare  my  whole  heart 
if  need  be,  (thus  wordily  hiding  the  need)  and  feel 
that  he  could  not  only  understand,  but  have  charity 
for  a  body's  short  comings  or  misconceptions,  and 
really  then,  think  no  less  of  them  for  his  discoveries." 


136  OUR  MABEL. 

"  Yes,  Jennie,  there  is  no  kinder,  truer,  genuinely 
charitable  being  living,  than  my  best  beloved  uncle, 
and  he  would,  and  does  as  you  say,  think  no  less  of 
people  for  their  faults  when  he  knows  them — and  he 
has  very  clear  perceptions  of  the  character  of  men — 
because  his  philosophy  teaches  him  that  their  expres- 
sion is  the  legitimate  fulfilment  of  the  laws  of  heredity 
and  also  of  education,  through  surrounding  influences 
and  teaching;  the  first,  seldom  overcome  or  modified 
much,  through  ignorance  of  cause,  and  for  the  latter 
'  believeth  and  hopeth  all  things.'  Believing,  as  he 
does,  in  the  truth  of  God's  divinity,  which  Christ  gave 
in  words,  that  like  unto  a  'tinkling  cymbal'  is  all 
other  virtues,  compared  with  that  of  Charity,  which 
also  He  said,  would  cover  a  'multitude  of  sins.'  How 
little  is  the  true  meaning  of  Charity  understood,  or 
practiced  in  the  world,  at  least  its  meaning  as  it 
appears  to  me,  through  my  uncle's  spectacles  perhaps, 
but  it  does  seem  to  me  that  the  words,  'Charity ' 
and  "Know  thyself,''  should  constantly  ring  in  every- 
body's ears,  demanding  a  hearing,  until  the  inner  man, 
the  soul,  takes  cognizance  and  seeks  to  find  if  there 
be  any  breadth,  height  or  depth  to  the  meaning  their 
speech  can  or  should  convey." 

"  You  and  your  dear  uncle  put  things  in  such  a 
new  light  Mabel,  so  different  you  seem  to  think  of 
even  the  commonest  things  to  what  most  people  do, 
and  yet  when  one  thinks  of  it,  reasonable  enough  to 
be  true."  And  Jennie  drew  a  long  sigh,  as  she  con- 
tinued, saying: 


OUR   MABEL.  137 

"What  a  different  world  this  would  be,  if  everybody 
could  believe  and  think  and  do  after  the  manner  of 
such  thought,  everybody  would  be  forgiven  every- 
thing, everybody  would  be  kind  to  everybody,  pitying 
their*weaknesses  of  inheritance,  and  helping  to  out- 
grow those  of  education  and  condition.  Why ! 
Mabel,  that  would  be  Heaven  on  earth." 

"  Yes,  Jennie,  at  least  a  glimpse  of  it.  Still  under 
those  conditions  of  true  charity,  remember  there 
would  be  much,  very  much,  for  all  beings  to  suffer,  in 
the  manifestations  of  imperfect  humanity,  through  ful- 
fillment of  these  stern  hereditary  laws,  and  those,  almost 
as  binding,  of  condition,  unpleasant  for  even  friends  to 
bear,  though  they  recognize  the  cause,  and  to  bear  it 
well,  '  suffer  long  and  be  kind,'  would  have  to  count 
it  glory  unto  God,  to  suffer  and  be  patient,  while 
awaiting  a  farther  Heaven  just  in  view,  where  physical 
disabilities  shall  no  longer  afflict  the  indwelling  spirit, 
clipping  the  wings  of  aspiration,  ever  struggling  for  a 
higher  flight." 

"How  earnest  you  grow  Mabel.  I  cannot  help  think- 
ing just  at  this  moment,  of  some  ladies  I  know  and 
wondering  how  much  of  interest  they  would  feel  in 
a  conversation  like  this,  though  I  have  seen  them 
quite  as  earnestly  discuss  the  newest  fashions." 

"  I  cannot  help  it  Jennie,  I  do  get  *  fired  up '  some- 
times, when  thought  on  such  subjects,  has  full  swing, 
but  here  comes  uncle,  who  speaks  more  coolly,  a  phi- 
losopher of  the  right  stamp;  hey,  uncle?" 

Mr.    Tremaine    only    catching    the   last   sentence, 


138  0FR   MABEL. 

replied,    "  There   are    many   right   philosophers  and 
many  kinds.   Which  could  you  name  The  Right?" 

"  There;  take  a  kiss  for  your  question.  The  right  is 
my  uncle,  of  course." 

"  Care,  care,  Mabel,  no  bigotry  in  our  school  you 
know." 

"  Only  save  that  of  love,  good  uncle." 

"  Well,  well,  then  here  will  1  reign,  philosopher  or 
what  not,  so  my  loving  subjects  shall  be  well  pleased.' 

"Then  this  loving  subject,  begs  that  yon  entertain 
another  faithful  one,  while  she  is  necessarily  absent 
awhile." 

"What  a  winning  way  Mabel  has  over  people!  Even 
you  seem  compelled  to  yield  most  gracefully,  Mr.  Tre- 
maine." 

"  Yes,  Mabel  is  a  clear  child  to  me,  and  her  exac- 
tions are  always  my  pleasure,  ripe  with  good  judgment 
as  they  are,  and  above  all,  a  tender  love.  God  bless 
her  always." 

It  was  an  unusual  sight,  tears  in  the  good  man's 
eyes,  but  the  fulfillment  of  his  hopes  and  teaching,  in 
Mabel,  together  wiih  her  ever  fresh  and  thoughtful 
love,  whose  contemplation  moved  him  now,  and  often, 
as  the  days  and  years  wafted  him  nearer,  and  still 
nearer,  to  the  eternal  shore. 

Willing  he  was,  to  stay  and  do  his  appointed  work, 
and  he  loved  to  bask  in  the  sunlight  of  his  Mabel's  love, 
and  yet  in  hours  of  weakening  physical  life,  his  spirit 
looked  forward  with  a  yearning  unspeakable,  toward 
the  vision  of  the  glorified  loves,  that  stood  beckoning 


OU-R    MABEL.  139 

him  to  join  in  their  song,  and  their  work  of  eternal 
progression,  through  spheres  of  love  and  knowledge, 
unending. 

Mr.  Tremaine  being  recalled  to  himself  after  a  few 
moments  in  the  vestibule  of  silence,  where  thought 
had  led  him,  returned  to  the  outer  doors  of  speech, 
saying,  "  but  this  is  not  fulfilling  my  mission  of  enter- 
tainment." 

"  What  can  I  do,  or  say  Madame  Jennie  for  that 
purpose,  or  will  an  old  man's  silence  attain  it  better?" 

"  O !  no,  no,  Mr.  Tremaine,  I  wish  you  would  talk 
to  me  just  as  you  do  to  Mabel.  I  wish  you  were  my 
uncle  too,  it  would  be  such  a  privilege  to  have  an 
uncle  to  go  to  for  advice  and  strength." 

Jennie  spoke  with  so  much  excitement,  that  for  an 
instant,  Mr.  Tremaine  looked  upon  her  with  surprise, 
which,  however,  she  did  not  observe,  in  the  sudden 
fear  that  had  overtaken  her,  for  her  unwonted  speech, 
which  her  caution  revealed  as  expressing  more  plainly 
than  intended,  her  inmost  longing  and  loneliness  of 
soul. 

Another  moment  reassured  her,  however,  for  Mr. 
Tremaine  in  kindest  sympathy  of  manner,  said: 

u  Jennie  you  have  known  me  since  you  were  quite 
a  little  girl,  and  I  cannot  doubt  you  when  you  say 
you  wonld  like  to  have  in  me  a  friend  such  as  you 
could  confide  in;  for  the  love  I  bear  to  you,  aud  the 
added  love  and  respect  I  have  for  your  father 
and  mother,  (Jennie  winced  a  little  here)  I  will  be  an 
uncle  to  you  in  good  faith,  and  if  you  like,  you  can  call 


140  OUR    MABEL. 

"  Do  you  mean  it,  indeed,  Mr.  Tremaine?" 

"  Certainly  Jennie,  I  mean  it  indeed,  but  first  look 
into  your  own  heart,  and  see  if  you  mean  it  indeed,  for 
remember  if  I  treat  you  as  I  have  always  treated 
Mabel,  I  shall  not  be  satisfied  with  but  the  nama 
alone.  I  must  know  the  heart,  and  its  impulses  to 
perform  what  I  have  always  felt  and  claimed  to  be  the 
duty,  of  even  an  uncle."  "Are  you  still  desirous  for 
my  kind  of  uncleship?" 

"  Let  me  think  a  moment — but  Mr.  Tremaine  when 
you  come  to  know  me  better  with  my  many  faults  will 
you,  can  you  still  love  me  and  respect  me  as  worthy 
your  attention?" 

"  Jennie!  who  is  '  without  sin '  in  this  world?  !Nay, 
your  very  argument  would  plead  your  case  more 
strongly,  and  become  my  own." 

Before  Jennie's  visit  was  over,  she  had  communnicated 
in  an  indistinct  manner,  so  far  as  words  were  concerned, 
the  tumult  of  her  soul,  and  its  cause,  which  the  reader 
has  already  comprehended,  as  an  awakened  desire,  or 
effort  of  the  soul,  to  be  up  and  doing,  and  at  its  legiti. 
mate  work  of  growth,  which  perhaps,  had  still  slum- 
bered on  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  physical  pleasures, 
unknowing  the  counterpart  of  spirit,  because  embry- 
otic,  and  motionless,  save  for  her  early  acquaintance 
with  Mabel  and  Mr.  Tremaine. 

But  the  seed  was  sown,  being  in  good  natural  soil 
it  had  to  germinate,  and  '  in  continuance  being 
formed'  demanded  more  sunshine,  and  caressing 
winds  to  perfect  its  struggling  growth.     Struggling 


OUR   MABEL.  141 

growth,  ah,  this  is  what  Mr.  Tremaine  saw,  and  strove 
tenderly  to  nourish,  strengthen  and  protect  the  feeble 
plant. 

Another  seed,  of  another  kind,  had  been  let  fall  by 
its  side,  whose  outer  encrustation,  forbade  its  germi- 
nation as  soon,  and  it  grieved  the  little  plant  that  its 
companion  moved  not,  and  that  each  day's  expansion 
of  its  own  germ  life,  was  taking  it  farther  away  from 
this  companion,  that  had  rested  beside  her  so  long, 
yet  not  in  the  least  understanding,  how  it  was. 

What  can  one  do,  what  could  Mr.  Tremaine  do, 
comprehending  all  the  difficulties,  a  thousand  times 
multiplied  by  the  relations  of  life,  but  simply  to 
soothe,  and  heal,  by  becoming  a  human  salve,  the  ingre- 
dients of  which,  must  be  judiciously  proportioned  to 
the  individual  case,  of  caution,  love  and  frankness,  in 
equal  parts,  sympathy,  tender  touch  of  wounded  parts, 
judgment,  magnanimity,  hope,  spoken  words,  and 
sometimes  silence;  but  ah,  difficult  to  compound,  and 
under  some  circumstances,  difficult  for  mortals  to 
become  possessed  of  some  of  the  ingredients. 

So  many  wounds  never  heal  entire,  and  many  again, 
grow  putrid  and  deeper,  through  every  attempt  to 
eradicate  the  disease,  by  willing,  though  ignorant 
hands. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


Mabel  and  her  uncle  made  a  compromise,  at  length, 
she,  promising  to  spend  the  summer  months  at  Homer, 
and  he,  to  divide  the  remaining  time  with  her,  this,  he 
said,  was  the  best  he  could  do,  and  probably  also  the 
best  for  Mabel's  individuality,  and  so  settled  the 
matter. 

During  his  stay  with  Mabel,  Mr.  Tremaine  often 
visited  Jennie,  becoming  acquainted  with  her  husband, 
who,  as  everybody  else  did,  took  a  wonderful  fancy 
to  his  wife's  early  friend;  whose  quiet  influence  sooth- 
ed, rather  than  irritated  him,  and  insisted  upon  mak- 
ing Mr.  Tremaine  an  honored  and  welcome  guest. 

Under  Mr.  Tremaine's  guidance,  Jennie  began  to 
to  look  about  for  the  duties  he  assured  her  were  lving 
around  her  home,  only  awaiting  her  hand  and  touch. 

Gradually  her  inner  sight  was  opened,  first  to  one 
duty  and  then  another,  such  as  appertain  to  the  homes 
of  either  culture  or  poverty,  where  young  immortal 
souls  are  placed  for  parents  to  minister  to,  whose 
unfolding  spirits  need  the  love  and  linger  of  the  lower 
angels,  their  parents/  whose  other  hand  while  leading 
God's  little  ones,  should  be  placed  in  those  of  them  who 
are  a  little  higher  in  His  kingdom,  whose  eye  and  hand 


OUR    MABEL.  143 

are  enchained  and  clasped  by  the  next  in  the  great  link 
of  His  ministering  ones,  which,  reaching  up  to  His  divine 
presence,  so  touch  His  heart  with  their  strong  appeal 
for  saving  love  and  wisdom,  that  "  before  the  word  is 
spoken, "  His  divineness  and  unspeakable  love  has 
thrilled  every  link  of  that  Heaven-forged  chain,  tem- 
pering the  current  as  it  passes,  until,  when  reaching 
the  earth  born,  his  soul  may  receive  that  which  he 
could  not  "  see  with  his  eyes,  and  live." 

And  that  which  God  imposes  as  a  duty  of  love,  in 
return  for  His,  is  to  take  the  tender  hands  and  point 
them  upward  to  His  throne  in  recognition  of  His 
unspeakable  love,  which,  through  the  lips  of  His  mes- 
senger to  earth,  He  expressed,  with  a  burst  of  parent- 
al fondness  and  desire,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me  and  forbid  them  not !  "  Forbid  them  not; 
aye,  by  tending  the  good  and  checking  the  evil,  with 
the  beautiful*  wand  of  a  pure  love,  sympathy  and  for- 
giveness, whose  inspiration  will  yield  the  quickest 
confidence,  and  lead  the  faith. 

In  this  work  of  love  Jennie  found  much  employ- 
ment, and  a  deeper  study  than  any  she  had  ever  taken 
up,  which,  in  the  process  of  time,  expanded  her  mind 
to  a  yet  fuller  comprehension  of  the  divine  mysteries 
of  life.  Then,  books  became  a  necessity  in  her  desire 
to  glean  the  thoughts  of  others,  and  compare  them 
with  her  own,  so  that  in  time  she  collected  quite  a 
library  of  solid  character,  very  different  from  the  few 
fancy  volumes  on  her  parlor  tables. 

The  change  in  Jennie,  who  was  growing  to  express 


144  OUR    MABEL. 

and  live  her  thoughts,  aroused,  not  only  the  wonder, 
but  admiration  of  her  husband.  His  home  began  to 
attract  him,  even  beyond  his  will,  and  an  occasional 
evening  with  his  wife  and  children,  now  became 
admitted  to  his  mind,  as  the  pleasantest  of  all,  and  yet, 
its  secret  he  was  not  able  to  divine.  The  change 
had  been  so  gradual,  and  yet  complete,  from  his 
palace  in  its  cold  array,  to  the  cheerful,  bright  and 
inviting  home,  in  which  his  wife  waited  to  meet  him, 
and  his  children  full  of  sweetness,  to  caress  him ;  often 
his  old  impetuous  boyishness  returned  to  him  under 
these  home  influences,  and  he  would  proclaim  himself 
still  a  victim  to  Jennie's  "  bright  eyes,"  which,  he  said, 
had  first  enthralled  him,  when  the  brightness  would 
indeed  come,  and  her  heart  uttered  its  thankfulness 
that  her  husband's  life  seemed  to  be  growing  nearer  to 
her  own,  and  the  hope  might  not  be  vain,  that  at  last, 
they  should  think  and  grow  together,  and  he  to  appre- 
ciate a  wife  as  something  more  than  a  doll  for  man's 
pleasure  and  petting. 

In  her  inmost  heart,  Jennie  blessed  Mr.  Tremaine, 
as  her  angel  of  guidance  to  this  result,  for  in  one  of 
his  more  familiar  talks,  after  seeing  and  judging  for 
himself,  concerning  matters  affecting  Jennie,  and  her 
own  expressed  longings  and  misunderstandings,  he 
had  said,  as  he  placed  his  hand  upon  her  head, "  let  me 
say  one  word  to  you  my  little  girl: — strive  hard  to 
speak  no  hasty  word,  and  ever  seek  to  excuse  it  in 
your  husband;  cultivate  happy,  loving  and  trusting 
thoughts  about  him,  such  as  you  would  give  your  ideal, 


OUR   MABEL. 


145 


and  learn  to  act  toward  him,  as  if  he  were,  together 
with  this,  make  your  beautiful  home,  warmly  attract- 
ive, as  if  bright  cheery  hearts  lived  in  it,  and  train 
your  little  ones  to  watch  for  and  delight  in  his  coming, 
and  my  word  for  it  little  woman,  you  will  accomplish 
more  in  one  year  than  in  ten  of  argument,  or  wordy 
enticements,  and  meantime  you  are  training  yourself 
to  sustain  this  relation  of  a  loving  wife  and  a  thought- 
ful, tender  mother." 

"  One  thing  more,  my  daughter,  I  know  that  your 
heart's  need  has  led  you  to  your  secret  chamber  to 
call  upon  that  Father  who  has  thus  bidden  you  to 
do,  and  who  hears  and  answers  the  secret  prayer;  for- 
sake not  this  shrine,  remembering,  that  'these  things 
come  not  forth,  save  by  fasting  and  prayer.'  " 

Mr.  Tremaine,  believing  in  Jennie's  earnestness, 
and  intention  to  strive  patiently  for  the  goal  set 
before  her,  determined  to  quiet  her  parent's  fears, 
which  Jennie  aided  by  writing  loving  and  dutiful 
letters,  and  promising  at  no  far  future  day,  a  visit  to 
the  old  homestead  when  "  Harry  can  come  with  us," 
thus  gaining  time  for  at  least  a  beginning  of  her  work 
with  herself  and  home,  which  would  bring  more  of 
health  and  life,  to  her  heretofore  spiritless  face,  with 
which  to  greet  the  fondness  of  her  lonely  and  ofttimes 
unhappy  parents,  because  that  the  lone  star  which  had 
shone  with  such  splendor  in  their  heavenly  arch,  was 
apparently  setting  far  below  the  horizon  of  their 
vision. 

*5v  "Tv  *7v  7v  VT  "37 


116  OUK    MABEL. 

Many  people  had  Mr.  Tremaine  known,  and  many 
heart  histories  were  stored  in  the  unenterable  vault  of 
his  strong  breast,  placed  there  by  those  who  needed 
safety,  and  yet  expression. 

He  had  striven  hard  to  lighten  the  loads  of  grief, 
anxiety,  fear,  hopelessness,  indifference,  misunder- 
standings, all,  and  often  was  his  labor  rewarded,  but 
oftener  still,  it  seemed  to  him,  that  he  in  person  was 
but  the  bnrial  vault,  and  the  mourner,  the  telling 
headstone  of  the  passed  away. 

See  him  now  in  his  old  study  at  Homer,  where  no 
intrusions  are  permitted  to  come,  he  has  been  sitting 
in  his  accustomed  place,  while  in  long  procession 
much  of  the  past  has  filed  in  review  before  him,  and 
some  such  thought  has  actualized  itself  within  his 
brain,  but  now  with  folded  hands  behind  him,  he 
walks  the  floor,  back  and  forth,  back  and  forth  as  he 
thus  soliloquizes: 

"Yes,  yes!  here  it  is  on  every  side,  from  beginning 
to  end  alabyrinthianwhole,  with  seemingly,  no  begin- 
ning nor  ending,  so  far  as  human  eye  can  reach  the 
underlying  causes,  and  their  urgent  reform." 

For  a  moment  his  brows  were  knit,  and  his  face 
saddened,  but  truth  is  swift,  and  its  messengers  shall 
quickly  bring  its  glory  down  to  waiting,  asking  souls, 
whose  aspiration  is  for  light,  more  light;  and  thus  it 
glided  in  upon  his  soul  a  distinct  impression,  to  which 
his  voice  gave  utterance,  "  Yea,  God's  truths  are  mani- 
fested throughout  the  universe  in  unchanging  laws, 
whose     knowledge    shall     spread     and     attune     the 


OUR   MABEL.  14:7 

souls  of  men  to  their  spirit,  whose  source,  whose 
indwelling  light,  whose  life  is  God;  yea,  God 
himself  in  the  personation  of  the  universe,  within 
-every  living  thing,  in  every  breath  of  life,  and  every 
sleeping  thing,  or  inanimate,  to  the  common  senses  of 
mankind. 

Yea,  verily  God  hath  ascended  to  dwell  in  suns  and 
moons,  and  stars,  and  in  every  lesser  light,  hath  de- 
scended into  every  lower  thing,  to  hells  which  men 
have  so  named,  to  the  worthless  and  cast  off  of  earth's 
children,  and  there  declareth,  that  His  power  and  love 
shines  forth  the  brighest,  as  unfolding  the  ragged  gar- 
ments, He  strips  them  one  by  one  from  off  the  crouch- 
ing form,  and  letting  in  the  warmer  light,  from  still  a 
shadowed  sun,  lets  break  a  little  more  of  day  with 
each  returning  hour,  binding  strength  and  comeliness 
upon  the  tired  and  worn,  poor  and  stricken  limbs,  all 
laden  with  the  filth  before  of  "  sins  "  and  "  evils  " 
which  have  reaped  the  world's  bitter  scoffing;  com- 
mands the  soul  stand  forth  in  the  new  light  of  day, 
and  test  the  glorious  truth  of  "salvation"  through 
the  God  of  law. 

Yea,  laws  of  God,  yea,  the  divine  essence  of  God 
Himself.  Law  and  love,  one  in  both,  both  in  one. 
The  ruler,  the  lover,  the  chastener,  the  rewarder,  the 
afflicter.  the  comforter,  the  forgiver,  that  the  godhood 
of  man  may  at  last  stand  revealed  and  clothed  upon 
with  its  own  divine  light  and  wisdom,  as  a  part  of  the 
cause  and  effect,  a  drop  from  the  fountain,  a  scintilla- 
tion from  the  Central  Light,  without  which,  that  which 


148  OUR   MABEL. 

we  term  God,  would  be  incomplete  because  lacking  in 
part.  God  lives,  and  is  true;  truth  is  God;  law  is  God 
and  God  is  in  and  over  all,  embracing  to  the  utmost 
atom,  existence  of  every  kind  and  degree. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

KEUNION     OF    THE     OSGOOD      FAMILY MABEL     AT    HOME 

AGAIN DEATH    OF    UNCLE    TKEMAINE. 

Early  in  the  summer  following  Mr.  Tremaine's  visit 
to  Mabel,  many  letters  passed  to  and  fro,  the  result  of 
which  proved  to  be,  after  all  the  pros  and  cons,  that 
there  should  be  a  family  meeting  at  the  Osgood  man- 
sion. May,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Carleton, — who  could 
stay  but  a  day  or  two,  when  he  must  return  to  his 
patients — and  Jennie  with  her  husband  and  children 
were  to  arrive  on  the  same  day.  Imagination  can  pic- 
ture the  change  indoors  at  the  Osgood  home;  the  excite- 
ment of  the  good  mother,  and  the  bustle  she  caused  for 
sake  of  the  dear  children  who  were  coming  to  soothe 
her  lone,  sore  heart.  The  bitter  past  was  to  be  buried, 
and  a  new  past  revealed,  with  its  fresher  and  sweet 
memories,  to  be  made  from  out  of  the  immediate  future. 

"  It  will  bless  my  old  age,  father,"  said  Mrs.  Os- 
good to  her  husband,  as  at  the  twilighting  they  sat 
together,  "  to  have  our  girls  at  home  once  more.  How 
beautiful  their  letters  have  been,  and  how  anxious 
they  seem  to  be,  to  return  once  more  totheir  parents' 
nest.  And,  oh,  how  sad  I  have  often  been  that  they 
ever  left  it.  And  now  it  seems  like  a  dream  to  try  to 
realize,    that   they   will   indeed,    soon  be  here.     My 


150  OUR   MABEL. 

heart  fails  me  often,  in  my  preparations,  from  the  fear 
that  suddenly  seizes  me,  that  they  may  not  reach  us 
after  all;  but,  George,  have  you  everything  in  readi- 
ness about   the  carriage,  and  the  new  harness,  is  it 
done  ?     John  must  do  his  most  careful  driving,  while 
May  and  Jennie  and  the  babies  are  here, — dear  little 
things.     I   do  wonder  if  they  really  look  like  their 
pictures?     I  hope   they  do,   and  I  hope  they  don't, 
for    pretty     they     are,     but,     somehow,      there      is 
a     want      of     liveliness      of     expression      that      I 
would    rather    see.     O  !    did    you    succeed    in    get- 
ting that  fine  cow  you  were  after?     You  did?    I  am 
delighted.    Those  precious  children,  I  don't  suppose 
they  get  a  drop  of  rich  pure  milk  in  the  city;  how 
they  will  enjoy  it  here,  and  they  shall  have  plenty, 
too.     Think,   husband,   when  Jennie  and  May  were- 
just  such  little  tots  as  Jennie's  children  now  are,  and 
so  short  a  time  ago;  how  little  we  thought  that  so  soon 
she  would  have  two  of  her  own, — bless  her;  and  she 
knows  now,  what  a  wife's  and  a  mother's  feelings  are. 
Poor  child!  Somehow  I  feel  that  she  has  suffered  more- 
than  many,  and  that  her  wifely  pride  has  kept  it  from 
us,  who  would  have  sympathized,  and  could  have  gone 
nearer  to  her  than  any  others.     Ah,  well,  it  is  all  so 
strange;  ours  but  not  ours,  either.    George,  you  must 
manage   to  take  considerable  time  out  of  your  busy 
life,   to  devote  to  Jennie's  husband,  as  you  know  he 
wrote  that  he  was  fond  of  all  outdoor  sports." 
"  Yes,  wife,  I  will  manage  it  somehow,  and — " 
"  Oh,  husband !  you  have  forgotten  all  about  the 


OUR   MABEL.  151 

girls'  old  playhouse,  for  Jennie's  children  to  play  in. 
You  know  you  were  goin^  to  make  it  look  as  sweet  as 
possible.  We  must  attend  to  that,  right  away,  and 
the  swing,  too.  May,  dear  child,  how  fond  she  used 
to  be  of  sitting  in  the  old  swing  with  her  book  in  her 
hand,  either  studying  or  reading.  What  a  sweet  com- 
fort she  was  tons  always, but  more  after  Jennie  left  us, 
when  she  seemed  more  loving  and  attentive  than  ever. 
Sometimes  she  would  smooth  my  hair  back  so  softly 
with  her  delicate  hands,  and  say,  '  dear  mother,  don't 
grieve  so  much  for  Jennie,  she  is  yours  still,  and  you 
have  me  to  stay  with  you.'  Thoughtless  girl  !  She 
little  dreamed  then  that  a  gallant  knight  was  soon  to 
claim  her  for  his  own,  and  transplant  even  her  sweet 
self  from  out  her  mother's  home,  and  leave  us  more 
desolate  than  ever.  How  mysterious  it  all  seems; 
change,  change,  and  separation  after  separation,  when, 
if  possible,  our  hearts  are  more  closely  knit,  our  love 
much  stronger.  Is  it  to  wean  us  and  make  us  more 
willing  for  the  last  change  on  earth?  but  how  can  it? 
You  may  say  what  you  please,  everybody,  but  I  know 
that  you  may  put  me  under  the  sod  and  press  it  down, 
down,  down,  and  1  shall  not  be  quiet  even  there,  if  I 
may  not  love,  and  continue  to  love  my  children 
still.  " 

The  intervention  of  a  long  sob,  gave  Mr.  Osgood 
the  opportunity  to  speak,  and  coming  closer  to  his 
wife,  took  her  hand,  and  smoothing  her  brow,  gently 
said,  "  my  precious  wife,  let  us  leave  the  past,  and 
the  future,  that  death's  change  brings  to  us,  and  only 


152  OUR   MABEL. 

think  of  the  present.  But  a  few  days  now,  and  our 
treasures  will  be  at  home,  and  shall  we  not  enjoy  them 
all  the  more  because  of  their  absence  awhile?  and 
everything  connected  with  their  stay,  with  a  keener 
relish  tha*zwe  should  otherwise  have  done?" 

The  beaming  face  and  busy  air  of  old  '  Auntie 
Bet,'  as  she  wielded  broom  and  duster,  opened  doors 
and  windows,  hung  and  adjusted  snow-white  curtains, 
betokened  the  advent  at  Mr.  Tremaine's  cottage  of 
Tom,  Mabel  and  children. 

The  appointed  day  at  last  arrived,  and  with  its  early 
morning,  the  two  families  of  Mabel  and  Jennie.  Later 
in  the  day,  came  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Carleton. 

Devoted  entirely  to  pleasure  must  be  the  first  three 
days,  for  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  both  Tom  and 
the  doctor  must  return  to  duty,  and  to  this  end  Mr. 
Tremaine  and  his  now  increased  family,  must  be  con- 
stantly on  hand  at  the  Osgood  home,  for  the  rides, 
walks  and  picnicing,  that  in  that  space  of  time  took 
place. 

Afterward,  the  summering  party  visited  more  quiet- 
ly, enjoying  daily,  a  meeting  of  some  sort,  and  coming 
into  the  inner  lives  of  each  other,  aroused  a  new  and 
more  lasting  interest  in  one  another  for  the  future. 

It  was  a  new  phase  of  life  for  dear  Mother  Osgood, 
to  be  taken  in  by  these  girls  and  made  as  one  of  them, 
for  they  would  not  lose  her  out  of  their  sight,  and 
talked  of  all  their  matters  of  love  and  interest,  in  her 
presence,  and  in  pretense  of  forgetfulness  of  her  dig 
nity,  would  often   catch   and    waltz   her  around  the 


OUR    MABEL.  153 

room,  while  the  cap  strings  would  fly,  and  astonished 
pleasure  beam  from  the  dear  lady's  face. 

The  inspiration  of  those  hours  and  days  so  renewed 
the  saddened  mother,  that  in  spite  of  all  things,  she 
found  herself  one  with  her  girls,  and  young  once  more; 
a  more  delightful  experience  than  ever  any  hope  of 
hers  had  dared  to  dream.  Their  trust,  and  tenderness 
of  appreciation,  seemed  sweeter  to  her  soul,  than  all 
that  had  gone  before. 

Mr.  Osgood,  filled  with  a  merry  glow,  romped  with 
his  girls  again,  to  the  amazement  and  delight  of  the 
little  ones,  and  with  no  check  from  the  smiling  mother. 
Truly  it  was  a  happy  household.  But  joy  and  happi- 
ness, are  they  ever  unblemished  by  contrast,  or  some- 
thing in  shape  of  fear  ?  No,  not  even  in  this  in- 
stance, was  pleasure  unalloyed,  in  either  Mr.  Osgood's 
family,  or  that  of  Mr.  Tremaine. 

The  gentle  May  was  very  drooping,  a  fact  quickly 
noted  by  loving  eyes,  through  all  her  efforts  to  be  en- 
tirely herself,  and  though  the  time  was  quickly  ap- 
proaching, they  wished  it  nearer,  for  her  husband  to 
rejoin  her  and  remain  for  a  while  at  the  homestead,  in 
the  hope  that  May  would  brighten  again,  through  his 
tender  offices  of  love. 

"  Our  Mabel "  had  a  deeper  fear  settling  down  upon 
her  heart,  and  increasing  day  by  day,  as  she  became 
positive  that  a  change  in  her  dearly  loved  uncle  was 
not  the  fancied  creature  of  her  brain,  as  she  at  first  had 
tried  to  believe,  but  that  his  step  was  indeed  growing 
more  and   more  feeble,  that  at  the  twilight  hour  he 


154  OUR   MABEL. 

sought  to  be  undisturbed,  and  while  talking  with 
Mabel,  which  he  still  loved  to  do,  unconscious  to  his 
memory,  he  would  in  the  midst  of  conversation,  allow 
his  lips  to  become  sealed  and  wander  off  to  the  realms 
where  thought  had  led  him.  He  talked  to  Mabel 
more,  too,  of  his  youth  and  its  hopes  than  he  had  ever 
done,  and  of  she  "who  could  only  join  herself  to 
him  by  the  rights  of  Heaven,"  that  he  knew  she 
was  waiting  to  see  him  enter  the  "  pearly  gates  "  to 
solemnize  a  union  God  himself  had  ordained.  Then, 
at  times,  his  affection  for  humanity,  and  sympathy  for 
its  suffering,  would  be  the  burden  of  his  lips,  and  his 
heart  grew  big  enough  to  enclasp  them  all,  and  his 
arms,  were  they  strong  enough,  would  have  protected. 
Yet  he  never  spoke  of  dying,  and  if  he  realized  the 
fact  of  such  a  change  for  himself,  Mabel  thought  that 
no  idea  of  physical  death  occurred  to  him,  and  that  in 
spirit  he  was  already,  almost  on  the  other  side  of  life. 
He  had  often  said  when  a  younger  man,  that  when 
dissolution  approached  him,  he  wanted  to  have  no 
care  or  thought  about  worldly  matters,  but  be  able  to 
give  himself  up  fully  to  anticipations  of  pleasure,  at 
stepping  aloft;  that  to  the  physical  disrobing  he 
should  never  give  a  thought,  for  it  had  no  place  in 
his  mind  as  a  condition  of  dread. 

Mabel  devoted  herself  in  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  man- 
ner to  Mr.  Tremaine,  favoring  always  his  unexpressed 
inclinations;  never  breathing  in  any  way,  her  sorrow 
and  fear,  though  she  longed  for  something  from  him 
as  to  his  real  state  of  mind,  whether  he  himself  real- 


OUR   MABEL.  155 

ized  that  he  might  be  nearing  death's  door.  His 
mind  remained  clear  upon  all  temporal  things,  when 
aroused  to  them,  and  he  played  with,  and  seemingly 
enjoyed  the  pranks  of  Mabel's  children  at  times,  but 
his  usual  mood  was  a  most  surpassing  passivity  of 
soul.  Mr.  Osgood  dropped  in  daily,  with  apparent 
purpose  of  seeing  Mabel,  but  in  reality  to  see  as  much 
of  his  old  friend  as  possible,  for  it  grieved  him  sore  to 
think  that  the  dear  man  that  he  had  loved  so  long  and 
well,  was  passing  daily  away;  was  receding  from  the 
stage  of  life,  and  before  whom  its  curtain  soon  must 
fall. 

The  autumn  had  come,  and  thoughts  of  return  to 
their  several  homes  was  in  the  minds  of  all,  but  none, 
could  speak  them.  The  course  of  events  decides  our 
times  and  seasons;  a  power  greater  than  our  planning, 
overrules  and  directs  the  human  will. 

Dr.  Carleton  arrived  as  expected,  and  was  grieved 
to  see  the  change  in  his  wife,  for  she  had  not  written 
the  full  extent  of  her  weakness ;  however  she  bright- 
ened so  much  in  his  presence,  that  the  hearts  of  all 
were  gladdened. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Tremaine  gradually  failed  in 
strength,  either  sitting  or  reclining  all  the  time.  He 
had  not  walked  about  for  several  days,  not  even  on  the 
piazza  which  he  so  loved  to  pace  at  eventide.  Often 
would  he  smile,  as  with  eyes  closed,  he  reclined  upon 
the  old-fashioned  lounge  of  the  sitting  room,  when 
Mabel  knew  he  was  not  asleep,  and  then  would  she 
almost   determine  to  speak,  but  as  often  her  heart 


156  OUR  MABEL. 

failed  her.  But  the  day  came  at  last  when  he  unsealed 
his  lips  and  called  her  to  his  side,  with,  "  Mabel,  my 
precious  child,  do  you  know  that  I  am  about  to  journey 
from  you  into  another  land?  Nay,  nay,  my  child,  you 
must  not  weep,  but  talk  with  me  as  quietly  and  sens- 
ibly as  you  so  well  know  how  to  do.  You  will  miss 
me  in  your  earthly  vision,  true,  but  the  uncle  who  has 
so  fondly  loved  you,  his  child,  his  precious  child,  will 
not  forsake  you  even  then,  for  1  feel  that  part  of  my 
duty  and  work  in  another  sphere  will  be  still  to  min- 
ister to  some  on  earth;  a  beautiful  mission  God  has 
given  to  His  children,  to  make  them  the  '  cup  bearers' 
of  His  bounty  and  blessings. 

"  Oh,  Mabel,  it  is  all  so  beautiful,  as  I  contemplate 
it;  this  life  with  its  seeming  evils,  and  its  sequel  just 
beyond,  where  the  insight  is  given  to  man  to  review 
his  past  on  earth,  and  follow  out  the  trains  of  action 
from  the  first  impelling  purpose,  to  their  result  both 
here  and  above,  compelling  his  exclamation  of  justice 
in  God,  and  ignorance  of  man. 

"  But,  darling,  the  higher  plane  will  repay  for  all 
the  suffering  here,  even  to  souls  darkened  by  sin,  for 
there  the  light  can  quicker  penetrate  the  clouds,  and 
the  angels  of  light  and  peace,  more  fully  cast  their 
beams  upon  them,  to  rouse  and  cause  them  to  sensate 
their  dormant  condition.  Then  how  lovely  and  beau- 
tiful the  scenes  and  work  for  those  who  have  striven 
their  utmost  here  to  learn  of  God,  His  works  and 
ways!" 

"  Of  late,  Mabel,  my  physical  vision  has  often  left 


OUR   MABEL.  157 

me,  and  instead,  my  interior  sight  lias  caught  beautiful 
visions  of  the  beyond,  and  I  have  been  shown,  as  it 
seems  to  me,  much  that  we  have  to  do;  the  pleasures 
to  be  enjoyed,  and  how  we  prepare  '  our  mansions  ? 
there,  by  the  living  here:  so  real  is  it  all,  I  feel  confi- 
dent that  when  the  cloak  drops  from  off  my  spirit 
form,  I  shall  meet  familiar  faces,  and  feel  at  home  in 
my  new  surroundings." 

The  good  man  dropped  into  silence,  and  seemed  to 
be  already  transported ;  but  Mabel  recalled  his  roving 
spirit,  to  ask,  if  in  these  moments  his  spirit  bride 
attended  him,  or  came  forth  to  greet  him.  How  his 
eye  enkindled,  and  what  a  glow  covered  his  cheek,  as 
with  a  quicker  motion  than  for  many  days,  he  arose  to 
a  sitting  posture. 

"  Have  I  seen  her,  Mabel?  Oh,  that  glorious  vision 
of  beauty  and  light!  Compared  in  brightness  is  the 
noon-day  sun  a  shadow,  in  tenderness,  love  and  beauty, 
the  enticements  of  earth  are  as  nothing;  oh,  I  cannot 
speak  of  it.  I  wish  I  could;  but,  Mabel,  the  sacrifice 
of  a  lonely  life,  ten-thousand  fold,  were  worth,  even 
the  vision,  of  my  heart's  long-absent  love.  How  long, 
O,  God,  how  long." 

Fear  seized  Mabel's  heart  lest  the  doors  now  so  far 
"  ajar  "  had  indeed  opened  wide  for  the  waiting  spirit, 
which  would  have  fled  with  delight;  but  no,  it  was  a 
faint,  that  laid  him  back  upon  his  pillows,  after  which 
he  did  not  attempt  to  speak. 

He  retired  early  that  night,  but  late  in  the  evening, 
Mabel,  who  was  sitting  where  she  could  hear  every 
sound,  heard  her  name  called,  and  went  to  his  side. 


158  OUR    MABEL. 

"Mabel  can  you  watch  with  me  an  hour,  and  sing 
in  your  low  sweet  way,  any  song  of  praise  or  angel 
song  you  know?  It  will  make  my  new  birth  easy  and 
sweet,  for  Mabel,  this  night,  I  know  I  shall  be  born 
again;  born,  thank  God,  my  father,  into  spirit  life,  to 
know  more  of  Him,  and  his  demands  of  me,  His  loving 
son.  You  will  not  weep,  darling,  but  try  to  realize 
with  me,  the  blessing  that  is  upon  me,  of  this  beautiful 
change,  for  it  is  beautiful,  and  I  do  not  dread  it;  dread 
it  not  for  me.  Send  for  Mr.  Osgood,  I  would  have  my 
good  friend  with  you,  and  with  me  in  this  hour,  then 
return,  Mabel  darling  and  sing  to  me." 

The  message  sent,  Mabel  began  with  a  trembling 
voice,  feeling  overruling  her  determination  to  be  calm, 
when  Mr.  Tremaine  spoke,  saying,  "  Sing  on,  the 
angels  will  give  you  strength." 

Control  at  last  came  to  her,  and  the  midnight  music 
was  sweet  to  hear.  Suddenly  she  was  startled,  and 
Mr.  Tremaine  seemed  to  listen,  as  sob  after  sob  was 
heard  from  without  the  door.  "  Poor  Auntie  Bet;  let 
her  come  in.  Dear  soul,  why  are  you  weeping?  Not 
for  me,  when  you  must  know  how  happy  I  am  that 
my  work  is  done,  and  that  I  am  to  begin  another  life 
above.     Tears  distress  me;  be  thankful  with  me." 

The  entrance  of  Mr.  Osgood  ended  this  scene,  and 
Auntie  Bet  retired,  still  sobbing,  to  the  far  part  of  the 
room,  for  she  would  not  "  leave  the  house  whar  ole 
marsa  is  dying  "  and,  besought  by  Mabel,  tried  to  be 
still. 

Mr.  Osgood  clasped  hands  with  Mr.  Tremaine,  and 


OUR   MABEL.  159 

looking  into  each  others'  eyes  without  speech,  they 
seemed  for  one  moment  to  converse  in  spirit.  Mr. 
Tremaine  was  the  first  to  speak,  and  said:  "Brother,  I 
wanted  you  to  be  with  me  in  this  hour  of  dismantling 
the  spirit  of  this  worn-out  physical  covering;  temporal 
matters  I  put  into  your  hands — some  time — ago — 
now  let  us — think  only — of — the — he — yond." 

Another  faint,  from  which  the  spirit  rallied,  though 
it  weakened  much  its  clinging  flesh. 

Mabel  san^  asrain. 

Mr.  Osgood,  bowed  down  with  grief  and  awe, 
forgot,  for  the  time  being,  the  agonies  of  pain  exper- 
ienced in  another  chamber  at  his  own  home,  where  a 
little  spirit  was  striving  for  birth  into  this  mortal 
sphere. 

Mabel's  singing,  and  the  hush  of  night,  had  lulled  her 
uncle  into  a  quiet  sleep  from  which  he  shortly  awoke, 
unrefreshecl  and  weaker  still.  JSTot  attempting  to 
speak,  he  looked  toward  Mabel,  and  raised  his  hand  as 
if  to  take  her  own.  Instantly  she  clasped  the  hand, 
whose  patting  caresses  from  her  youth  up,  cherished 
in  memory  so  lovingly,  now  with  more  vividness 
returned,  as  for  the  last  time  she  held  that  hand  from 
which  the  life  was  fast  receding,  as  death  congealed 
its  coursing  blood. 

Mr.  Osgood  had  taken  his  dying  friend's  other  hand. 
Again  the  eyes  were  closed  and  his  breath  came  softly, 
when  soon  he  said:  "  Sing,  '  Our  Mabel,'  sing  '  Beau- 
tiful Life.'  "  As  best  it  could,  her  voice  threaded  its 
way  through  his  favorite  hymn : 


160  OUR    MABEL. 

"  Oh,  life,  beautiful  life ! 

Thy  glories  unveiled  I  see ; 
Oh,  life,  beautiful  life! 

That  the  angel  of  death  brought  me, 
Thou  hast  made  me  one  of  the  noble, 

Thou  hast  made  me  one  of  the  free, 
Oh,  life,  beautiful  life! 

I  sail  on  thy  crystal  sea." 

Quick  the  motion  that  disengaged  his  hands  and 
caused  the  attempt  to  rise,  only  to  fall  upon  his  pillow, 
and  pointing  above  him  to  exclaim:  "  See!  they  come, 
winding  down  the  corridors  of  heaven,  they  come! 
Listen!  That  music;  do  you  hear  it?  The  hosts  of 
heaven  must  be  singing  praise, — and, — oh!  there, 
there,  brightest  of  them  all!  she  calls  me;  she  holds 
out  her  arms.  May  I  go;  can  I  go,  Mabel?"  and  the 
tired  body  fell  back  weeping.  "  Is  it  time,  indeed ;  is 
my  work  done?    Can  I  go,  Mabel?" 

Through  a  grief  whose  intensity  had  now  sealed  the 
fountain  of  tears,  Mabel  smoothed  her  uncle's  brow 
and  gently  soothed  his  mind,  so  clear  to  the  last,  with, 
"  Yes,  uncle,  dear,  it  is  time  now.  They  call  you  for 
you  are  ready,  and  your  Mabel  says,  yes,  yes,  go  to 
your  loved-one's  arms." 

"Bless  you,  bless  you,  sweet  child,  it  is  time,  and  I 
am  going.  I  see  plainer  now,  and  they  whisper  so 
sweetly !     Osgood,  friend,  look  at  me." 

"  Yes,  here  I  am." 

"  But  I  do  not  see  you."  His  voice  was  dying  to  a 
whisper,  as  he  continued: 

"  Can  the  veil  be  already  fallen?    Tell  them  all — my 


OUR   MABEL.  161 

friends— good  bye.  Ma— bel— bless  Tom — and  the 
children.     I  hoped — see  him." 

One  gasp,  and  so  long  a  quiet  ensued,  that  the 
watchers  thought  his  spirit  had  departed;  a  returning 
sigh  proved  not,  then  another,  and  another  still,  each 
weaker  than  the  last,  until  the  smiles  of  death  were 
indeed  playing  upon  his  features,  token  of  the  spirit's 
flight  to  longed-for  scenes  and  spheres. 

Tom,  to  whom  Mabel  had  telegraphed  in  her  first 
shock  of  fear,  arrived  quietly,  and  entered  the  room  of 
his  early  friend,  just  as  he  cast  his  mantle  off,  of  fleshly 
shape,  nearing  the  early  hours  of  day. 

Mr.  Osgood,  already  grief-stricken,  found  on  return- 
ing home,  that  his  daughter  lay  hovering  between  two 
worlds,  and  no  mortal  could  answer  which  way  the 
scales  would  weigh  the  heaviest. 

Silence,  oppressive,  reigned  in  that  room,  holding  in 
check  the  beating  waves  of  strong  loves  in  deepest 
sorrow,  whose  muffled  surging  made  no  sound  outside 
the  encasing  breasts. 

No  sound?  None  but  the  occasional  wail  of  the 
tender  infant  which  came  into  the  world  wrapped  in 
its  garment  of  flesh,  through  struggle  and  suffering, 
within  the  same  hour  that  another  spirit  had  so  will- 
lingly  laid  it  by,  for  a  birth  into  other  spheres  as 
untried,  new,  and  full  of  wonderment,  as  this  sphere 
to  the  babe  just  born;  each  in  their  appropriate  line 
of  progress  through  the  march  of  years,  take  up  the 
web  of  life  to  thread  the  pathways  stamped  upon  the 
recesses  of  soul,  by  the  finger  of  the  great  designer — 
God. 


162  OUR   MABEL. 

How  subtle  the  golden  threads  of  magnetic  life  that 
hold  and  keep  their  sway  between  the  hearts  of  mother 
and  child.  That  the  tiny  wail  of  the  feeblest  infant 
should  speak  with  the  appealing  of  a  thousand  tongues, 
to  recall  the  life  that  had  almost  sped  away,  to  its 
casket  once  more,  and  weigh  down  the  scale  for  life 
and  consciousness. 

Thus,  gentle  May  returned  to  life's  expression,  and 
the  enticements  of  motherhood,  while  the  muffled 
throbs  of  watching  hearts  beat  more  wildly  still,  as 
through  their  dej)ths  of  love,  only  the  gentlest  expres- 
sion of  a  receding  wave,  was  permitted  to  fall  on  the 
ears  of  the  wife  and  daughter,  in  loving  and  caressing 
tones. 


CHAPTEK  XXII. 

FUNERAL     CEREMONIES — PROPITIOUS    OMEN. 

They  "  lifted  up  their  voices  and  wept "  was  almost 
literally  true  of  the  villagers  of  Homer,  when  it  be- 
came known  that  their  long-tried  townsman,  friend 
and  leader,  had  passed  beyond  their  ken.  ' Tears 
flowed  freely  from  the  eyes  of  even  stalwart  men,  on 
hearing  the  story  of  Mr.  Tremaine's  last  hours,  and 
many  gave  utterance  to  the  wish  that  they  had  done 
more  to  show  their  appreciation  of  him,  while  he 
lived. 

Thus  always  unerringly,  the  soul  stings  us,  when 
a  truly  loved  object  has  passed  beyond  our  reach,  into 
a  remembrance  of  things  left  undone,  that  our  im- 
pulses had  oftenprompted  us  to  do.  As  one  man,  the 
villagers  arose  to  unite  their  efforts  to  pay  one  grand 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Tremaine,  the  last  and 
only  privilege  left  to  them  now.  The  desire  to  look 
upon  the  face  of  the  dead  was  so  universal,  that 
Mabel  was  constrained,  through  Mr.  Osgood's  ad- 
vice, to  allow  her  uncle's  remains  to  be  carried  to  the 
chapel,  where  so  often  his  thoughts  and  prayers  had 
mingled  with  others  in  a  grand  unity  of  aspiration 
and  praise  to  God,  the  inspirer  of  all.  During  the 
whole   of  one  day,  and  until  the  funeral  hour  of  the 


16-i  OUR   MABEL. 

next,  there  was  to  be  seen  a  steady  stream  of  human- 
ity, coming  and  going  from  out  the  presence  of  their 
dead,  for  they  claimed  him  such,  in  ownership  of  love 
and  interest. 

Imagination  must  picture  the  offerings  and  decora- 
tions of  flowers,  plucked,  as  from  the  hearts  of 
the  people,  to  accompany  this  good  man  to  the  grave 
— for  which  he  had  no  dread.  The  hour  at  length  ar- 
rived for  the  simple  ceremony,  requested  by  Mr.  Tre- 
maine  sometime  before  his  death,  and  in  compliance 
with  which,  Mr.  Osgood  addressed  the  people  in  the 
language  of  the  farewell  words  left  by  his  friend,  ex- 
pressing his  great  desire,  not  only  for  simplicity  of 
burial,  but  that  such  services  be  conducted  as  though 
it  were  a  moment  of  rejoicing  and  happiness,  and  not 
of  grief  and  sadness.  That  he  be  not  looked  upon  as 
dead,  and  buried  within  the  tomb  to  remain  in  its  dark- 
ened dampness,  but  to  think  of  his  transition  hence,  as 
but  the  change  of  the  embryo,  to  a  more  perfect  form 
and  freer  life,  of  the  newly  born.  Then  the  choir  sang 
his  favorite  "  Beautiful  Life,"  followed  by  an  invoca- 
tion from  the  lips  of  the  aged  pastor,  to  whom  Mr, 
Tremaine  was  much  attached. 

The  most  intimate  friends  were  pall-bearers,  headed 
by  Mr.  Osgood  and  Tom,  whom  Mabel  desired  should 
fill  that  office,  though  it  left  her .  alone.  As  the  fu- 
neral train  slowly  moved  along  the  streets  of  Homer, 
tokens  of  love  and  respect  were  shown  by  the  closed 
windows  of  store  and  house;  and  where  the  occupants 
were  unable  to  present  themselves  among  the  follow- 


OUK   MABEL.  165 

-ers  to  the  grave,  they  stepped  forth  with  bared  heads 
and  bowed,  until  the  funeral  cortege  had  passed.  The 
country  grave-yard  reached,  the  prettiest  and  most 
■cheerful  spot  was  in  readiness  to  receive  the  mortal  form 
of  him  who  had  beautified  it  with  his  own  hand,  had 
literally  prepared  a  place,  not  for  his  soul  truly,  but  for 
his  body's  last  rest. 

The  most  trying  of  all  moments  to  the  family  of 
deceased  friends,  came  equally  to  Mr.  Tremaine's,  as 
the  hollow  sound  of  the  clods  of  clay,  fell  after  each 
other  above  the  breast  of  his  fondly  loved  tenement; 
then  Mabel's  heart  failed  her,  which  had  so  long-  time 
restrained  itself  from  outward  manifestation,  and  with 
a  deep  moan  she  sank  by  her  husband's  side  in  uncon- 
sciousness. 

Sympathy  and  feeling  were  becoming  expressive, 
when  suddenly  the  attention  of  those  nearest  the 
grave,  was  attracted  by  the  gyrations  of  a  snow-white 
dove  above  the  open  tomb  beneath,  now  flattering 
down  for  a  moment  above  the  lowered  coffin,  then  as 
if  in  affright,  rising  again,  again  to  settle  fur  an 
instant  wdthin  the  tomb.  Those  who  were  wielding 
the  spade  and  shovel,  trembled  at  the  bird's  peculiar 
motions,  with  superstitious  dread.  The  interest  and 
silence  of  its  witnesses,  burst  forth  into  a  gentle  mur- 
mur, as  with  one  quick  swoop  the  dove  planted  itself 
on  Mabel's  bosom,  just  as  consciousness  was  regaining 
its  sway. 

As  token  sent  from  another  land,  she  held  it  closely 
clasp2d,  while  it  cooed  in  her  brooding  arms,  an  omen 
portentous,  the  simple  folks  held. 


166  OUR   MABEL. 

The  last  rite  accomplished,  the  aged  pastor  lifted  up 
his  hands  and  said,  "In  the  name  of  our  late  friend 
I  feel  constrained  to  bless  you  all,  and  let  us  rejoice 
indeed,  that  his  new-born  spirit  is  at  last  in  the  enjoy 
ment  of  those  realms  to  which  it  so  often  soared  with 
desire,  when  on  this  mortal  plane.  God  and  His  good 
angels  bless,  and  be  with  us  all.     Amen." 


CHAPTEK  XXIII. 

LAST  WILL  AND  TESTAMENT  OF  UNCLE  TREMAINE. 

Of  necessity,  some  days  passed  after  the  funeral  be- 
fore any  business  matters,  as  set  forth  in  Mr.  Tre- 
maine's  will,  and  his  verbal  requests,  could  be  at- 
tended to.  Mr.  Osgood  was  as  prompt  as  possible 
however,  and  presented  himself  to  Tom  and  Mabel 
early  one  morning.  In  handing  his  sealed  will  to 
Mr.  Osgood,  Mr.  Tremaine  said  that  he  had  made 
him  his  executor,  and  asked  if  he  gave  his  voluntary 
consent  beside,  on  receiving  which,  the  good  man 
seemed  much  pleased,  and  saying  he  should  feel  then 
that  all  would  be  well,  dismissed  the  subject  entirely, 
nor  again  alluded  to  it,  until  upon  his  dying  bed. 

The  seal  being  broken  the  paper  read  thus : 

"  I,  C.  L.  Tremaine  declare  this  to  be   my  last  will 

and  testament,  written   and   signed  this day  of 

June,  18 — . 

"First,  I  will  state  that  my  worldly  goods  are  not  so 
great  as  to  give  me  any  uneasiness  in  passing  them 
into  the  hands  of  those  I  know  and  love  so  well,  and 
who  I  feel  will  interpret  my  motive  in  this  last  act, 
through  a  knowledge  of  my  peculiarities  of  thought 
and  belief,  generously  not  only,  but  heartily  accept  it. 

"'Secondly,  I  make  a  statement  as  follows: 

"I  own  the  homestead  and  grounds  without  encura- 


168  OUR   MABEL. 

brance,  and  it  is  insured  for  a  year  to  come.  Also,  a 
small  farm  of  twenty  acres  just  outside  of  Homer;  the 
deeds  and  papers  relating  to  them  both  will  be  found 
in  my  desk,  severally  marked  and  labelled. 

"In  money,  thirty  thousand  dollars  ($30,000)  in 
bank,  to  which  I  became  the  heir  in  my  younger  days. 
On  the  interest  of  this  sum,  with  the  proceeds  of  occa- 
sional labor,  I  have  lived  comfortably  and  had  a  sur- 
plus for  any  other  purpose  I  desired. 

"My  life  is  insured  for  fifty-thousand  dollars  more. 

"The  foregoing  covers  the  amount  of  my  worldly 
possessions,  and  which  I  now  proceed  to  dispose  of 
according  to  rny  desires,  entitled: 

MY  WILL. 

"First,  The  Homestead,  I  give  with  my  tenderest 
love,  and  in  the  full  memory  of  earlier  days,  to  "  Our 
Mabel,"  with  whom  every  nook  and  corner  has  its 
association,  to  be  hers  fully,  to  hold  or  to  dispose  of, 
as  she  desires,  save  the  portion  allotted  to,  "Auntie 
Bet,"  and  which  is  divided  from  the  main  lot  by  a 
fence;  a  deed  for  this  portion  is  already  drawn  and 
signed  by  me,  also  to   be  found   in  private  desk. 

'  "Second,  The  interest  on  the  thirty  thousand  dollars 
in  bank,  I  desire  Mabel  to  have  for  life,  save  such 
sum  to  be  paid  by  her  to  "  Auntie  Bet "  quarterly,  as 
would  be  the  amount  of  her  wages  were  she  still  in  my 
employ. 

"Third,  The  amount  from  which  the  income  is  de- 
rived, I  wish  to  remain  intact,  but  give  this  privilege 
to  Mabel  and  her  husband,  to  withdraw  and  re-invest, 
if  thought  at  any  time  to  be  best,  always  provided  it 
be  safely  done,  and  not  used  in  a  manner  the  least 
degree  speculative. 

"After  Mabel,  the  interest  money  is  to  fall  to  the 
children  she  may  leave,  and  be  divided  equally  among 


OUR    MABEL.  169 

them  without  regard  to  age  or  sex;  the  father  keep- 
ing in  trust  the  same%or  properly  expending  for  their 
benefit,  until  the  youngest  shall  reach  the  age  of  ma- 
jority, when  the  capital  amount  shall  be  thus  equally 
divided. 

"I  also  request,  that  for  this  purpose,  Mabel  and  her 
husband  shall  at  once  make  such  arrangement  and  pro- 
vision as  shall  best  secure  this  end,  in  case  of  the  death 
of  either,  or  both. 

"Fourth,  The  twenty  acres  of  land  and  life  insurance 
of  §50,000,  I  place  in  trust  in  the  hands  of  my  friend 
George  Osgood,  of  this  place,  and  my  nephew  Tom 
Joiner,  as  a  nucleus  for  a  fund  which  I  hope  will  be 
raised  for  the  establishment  of  a  seminary,  and  a  con- 
necting library  open  to  both  sexes;  the  library  to  be 
circulating,  as  a  means  to  a  partial  support  of  itself. 

"And  lastly,  when  either  of  the  above  named  shall  be 
taken  away  by  death,  the  survivors  shall  select  anoth- 
er person  in  his  place,  according  to  his  best  judgment 
as  to  efficiency  and  integrity,  and  in  like  manner  to 
proceed,  as  one  or  another  passes  away. 

"With  love  and  sincere  regard.  I  leave  this  my  last 
will  and  testament  in  the  hands  of  my  friend  Mr.  Os- 
good, with  that  perfeet  trust  which  "  casteth  out  fear" 
and  so  sign  myself,  and   hereunto   affix  my  seal   this 

day  June,  18 — . 

Charles  L.  Tremaine." 

The  papers  relating  to  Mr.  Tremaine's  property 
were  found  in  his  desk  as  by  direction,  and  all  con- 
cerned or  interested  in  its  distribution,  expressed  their 
approbation  of  his  design  and  appropriation. 

The  school  project  was  not  new  to  Mr.  Osgood,  with 
whom  Mr.  Tremaine  had  often  canvassed  the  subject, 
so  that  he  was  well  versed  in  his  friend's  ideas  and 
desires  regarding  it. 


170  OUK    MABEL. 

"  Auntie  Bet "  wept  for  thankfulness  when  told 
how  well  Mr.  Tremaine  had  provided  for  her  old  age, 
and  she  insisted  that  henceforth  she  would  devote  her 
services  to  "  Miss  Mabel  "  in  caring  for,  and  keeping 
up  the  homestead  during  Mabel's  absence  each  year. 

Autumn  was  advancing,  and  Tom  who  must  needs 
be  at  his  work,  was  compelled  to  hasten  away,  but 
Mabel  remained  to  put  away  her  uncle's  personal 
effects,  and  many  of  their  household  goods. 

Jennie,  her  husband  and  family,  had  returned  io 
their  city  home,  having  waited  to  know  that  the  sis- 
ter May  was  out  of  danger,  and  a  speedy  convalescence 
assured;  returned  with  the  solemnities  of  life  more 
deeply  impressed  upon  her  now  receptive  spirit,  and 
with  a  consciousness  of  loss,  not  yet  measureable,  but 
with  the  foresight  of  intuition,  she  knew  that  future 
hours  and  days  would  bring  arevealment  of  the  extent 
of  a  loss,  now  only  bounded  by  a  sudden  departure, 
and  sorrow  therefor.  She  entered  her  beautiful  home 
awakened  to  the  nearness  of  death  to  every  loved  one, 
giving  rise  to  new  thoughts  within  her  breast,  con- 
cerning the  death  of  life,  and  the  life  of  death. 

Meanwhile  it  had  been  forbidden  to  speak  of  Mr. 
Tremaine's  death  in  the  sick  room,  and  May  remained 
unconscious  of  all  that  had  transpired  concerning  him, 
until  by  repeated  questions,  breathed  from  the  dim 
prescience  of  her  sensitive  soul,  she  claimed  the  truth 
at  last. 

Although  grieved,  and  full  of  sorrow,  with  knowl- 
edge  of  the  facts,  the    philosophy  of  self  sustenance 


OILR   MABEL.  171 

in  affliction  or  trials,  through  recognition  of  life's  con- 
trolling laws,  (ideas  which  May  had  almost  uncon- 
sciously imbibed  from  her  early  acquaintance  with 
Mr.  Tremaine)  enabled  her  to  hold  that  balance  due  to 
nature,  in  refraining  from  such  physical  shock,  as  to 
greatly  impede  her  progress  healthward. 

Though  fieetness  was  harnessed  to  the  chariot  of 
time  in  which  Dr.  Carleton  had  tenderly  removed  his 
wife  to  his  home,  "  Our  Mabel  "  still  lingered  in  the 
home  of  her  youth.  It  was  not  a  hasty  packing  up  of 
treasured  things,  for  memory  would  recall,  and  repeat 
its  story,  with  a  seeming  individuality  of  every  article 
she  touched;  and  she  must  listen,  and  live  it  all  over 
again,  a  pleasure  and  a  pain. 

Mabel  had  purposely  left  her  uncle's  desk  until  the 
last,  feeling  sure  there  would  be  much  to  interest  her 
in  it,  and  she  would  fain*  give  herself  up  to  its  full 
enjoyment  without  other  care  upon  her  mind.  She 
was  not  doomed  to  disappointment,  for  she  indeed 
found  much,  that  to  her  was  a  great  treasure,  more 
especially  Mr.  Tremaine's  journals,  which  would  give 
all  the  more  pleasure  that  he  had  given  his  consent  to 
their  perusal,  in  a  note  found  in  one  of  them,  in  which 
he  said,  "  My  dear  Mabel,  these  private  journals  were 
never  intended  for  the  perusal  of  any  mortal  but  my- 
self, as  a  reminder  of  the  different  stages  of  my 
thought  and  perception,  but  in  view  of  that  change  I 
feel  is  close  at  hand,  which  will  take  me  from  your 
present  vision,  sensations  arise  from  the  depths  of 
affection  for  the  precious  child  of  my  adoption,  that 


172  OUR  MABEL. 

make  me  unwilling  to  go  hence  and  leave  nothing 
behind  to  speak  my  thought  to  her,  as  in  the  years 
gone  by,  when  she  was  growing  from  babyhood  to 
girlhood,  and  girlhood  to  womanhood;  therefore 
Mabel,  these  pages  that  have  so  narrowly  escaped 
the  names,  I  leave  for  you,  they  record  many  an 
hour  of  weakness;  many  a  conflict  of  soul,  and  mul- 
titudinous thoughts  in  perception  of  the  height,  depth, 
length  and  breadth  of  Life,  as  vouchsafed  to  human- 
ity, in  its  myriad  conditions  and  forms." 

"  It  has  taken  a  life  time  here,  to  settle  upon  a  phi- 
losophy which  embraces  them  all  as  just  and  right,  in 
the  sense  of  fulfillment  of  Divine  and  immutable  laws, 
and  to  feel  akin  to  all  conditions  of  life,  through  a 
charity  impressed  upon  the  soul^  and  which  recognizes 
the  stamps  of  Divinity,  that  are  somewhere  to  be 
found  in  every  grade  of  being.  Through  deepest  love 
for  lifein  its  every  expression,  because  recognized  as 
parts,  or  scintillations  from  the  source,  the  great 
Cause  of  life,  comes  a  charity  which  can  lift  the  cloaks 
of  condition,  and  discover  the  '  pearl  of  great  price,'  a 
spark  at  least,  of  the  Godhood  underlying  all,  and 
which  we  may  be  sure  will  so  assert  itself  in  time,  as 
to  burst  from  out  the  clouds  of  human  type,  and  rise 
to  such  expression  as  becomes  its  source  and  giver — 
God." 

The  desk  gone  through,  Maoel  locked  and  withdrew 
its  key,  taking  nothing  therefrom  but  the  books  her 
uncle  had  thus  bequeathed  to  her.  Her  first  impulse 
was  to  peruse  them  at  once,  but  she  wisely  concluded 


OUR   MABEL.  173 

to  wait  until    she  reached  her  home,    where  she  could 
do  so  more  leisurely,  and  with  more  satisfaction. 

It  was  a  sad  and  lonely  leavetaking  for  Mabel,  from 
Homer,  the  stage  whereupon  so  much  of  her  life's 
drama  had  been  enacted,  and  it  seemed  now  as  though 
the  book  of  pleasure  had  been  closed  to  her,  that  the 
fountain  of  her  inspiration  had  become  dry,  and  the 
ground  upon  which  it  played,  parched  and  lifeless. 

Not  true  dear  Mabel!  So  seemeth  it  now,  but  the 
fountain's  supply  is  being  renewed  from  the  great 
source  fountain  of  all,  and  soon  again  shall  you  hear 
the  silvcrv  showers  of  the  waters  of  life,  flowing  from 
little  fountains  here  and  there  who  have  drawn  from  the 
fountain  that  has  passed  from  your  eyes;  with  these 
will  come  the  "  Comforter,"  opening  your  sight  to 
God's  beneficence  in  all  these  things  which  for  a  time 
so  hurt  and  try  our  mortal  senses. 

How  else  can  the  spiritual  body  grow  to  its  best 
proportions,  save  through  the  sorrowful  hurtings  of 
physical  being,  which  quicken  the  heart's  impulses 
for  safety  and  protection,  and  sendeth  them  to  the 
spirit's  citadel,  within  whose  sacred  crypts  are  revealed 
life's  causes,  and  the  spirit's  hope? 

With  the  power  gained  through  this  withdrawal 
from  the  outward  man,  to  that  within,  the  spirit  can 
gird  up  its  loins  and  defy  the  world  to  inflict  its  my- 
riad stripes,  and  torture  to  the  last  extent,  its  physical 
— covering,  for  the  great  "  I  am,"  living  within  it  can 
not  be  destroyed,  or  enslaved  its  eternal  life. 


CHAPTEE  XXIV. 


THE    SEQUEL    OF   A   GOOD    MAN'S    EARTH-LIFE. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osgood  were  lonely,  indeed,  when  all 
the  home-comers  had  taken  their  departure,  whose 
coming  and  presence,  and  their  going,  together  with 
the  death  of  Mr.  Tremaine,  had  both  gladdened  and 
saddened  their  true  hearts  with  a  whole  volume  of  life, 
that  seemed  to  them  to  have  been  enacted  on  their 
threshold. 

Producing  still  deeper  thought  within  them,  giving 
new  directions  to  its  working,  and  filling  up  the  hours 
so  dreaded  for  the  absence  of  the  loved  ones,  with  so 
many  new  and  varied  sensations,  that  the  days  flew, 
they  knew  not  where. 

Another  family  meeting  was  planned  for  the  next 
summer,  if  all  went  well  with  each  little  family ;  mean- 
while, correspondence  assumed  more  of  life  and  mutual 
interest  than  ever  before,  and  sweetened  greatly  many 
cups. 

May  and  Mabel  resumed  their  old  intimacy  during 
the  summer  just  passed,  and  had  spent  many  pleasant 
hours  together,  though  fewer  than  had  been  anticipated, 
owing  to  Mr.  Tremaine's  failing  health.  Letiers 
passed  freely  now  between  these  early  sworn  friends; 
an  interchange,  at  once  interesting  and  profitable,  as 


OUR    MABEL.  175 

May  gave  expression  to  her  motherhood  delights, 
hopes  and  desires,  and  her  own  ambition  for  culture 
and  growth  of  soul,  for  her  "  sweet  baby's  sake  ";  and 
Mabel's  answers  full  of  a  lively  interest,  answering  much 
in  her  own  way  and  thought,  and  sometimes  quoting  the 
words  remembered  to  have  fallen  from  her  uncle's  lips, 
and  again  from  those  "jewels  "  in  her  possession. 

May  became  so  much  interested  in  the  latter,  that 
she  besought  of  Mabel  some  such  extracts  as  were  not 
of  too  private  a  nature,  and  that  she  was  willing  to 
give,  pleading  that  she,  too,  was  to  a  certain  degree,  a 
pupil  of  Mr.  Tremaine's,  and  would  fully  appreciate 
the  gift. 

Mabel,  ever  anxious  for  others  to  enjoy  what  she  did 
in  any  interest,  and  believing  that  her  uncle  would 
not  object  to  the  plan,  if  he  could  answer  the  spirit  of 
its  questioning,  consented. 

And  so  it  followed,  that  during  the  winter,  as  one 
and  another  thought  from  out  the  written  passage  of 
her  uncle's  years  appealed  to  Mabel,  as  suitable  for 
transcription  for  her  friend's  use,  she  made  copy  until 
quite  a  little  volume  was  the  result. 

Mabel  sent  these  transcripts  in  her  frequent  letters, 
which  both  Dr.  Carleton  and  his  wife  had  come  to 
look  forward  to  as  a  stated  pleasure,  and  felt  disap- 
pointment when,  by  any  mail's  delay,  the  letter  came 
not. 

Among  the  first  of  these,  the  following  extracts  were 
enclosed,  written,  according  to  elate,  some  of  them 
many  years  before  Mr.  Tremaine's  death. 


176  OUR   MABEL. 

"  What  a  strange  and  varied  existence  one  life  can 
experience,  and  the  larger  spiritual  perceptions  one 
attains  to  in  progress  through  life,  the  more,  seemingly r 
is  one  compelled  to  actualize  in  his  or  her  own  indi- 
viduality; on  the  principle,  as  I  suppose,  that  knowl- 
edge of  any  kind  is  not  truly  ours  until  we  have  made 
it,  or  earned  it,  through  an  appropriate  experience  to 
that  end. 

"Thus,  the  more  we  would  learn  or  know,  the  more 
varied  our  experience  must  be,  and  do  we  count  the 
cost,  when  in  our  aspirations  of  prayer,  we  seek  to  com- 
prehend and  fathom  the  mysteries  of  our  being  and 
life,  of  God's  creations  and  laws,  through  cause  and 
effect?  Nay,  nay;  we  ask  and  cry  out  earnestly 
for  light,  light;  the  cry  is  heard,  and  fulfilling  the 
word'4  ask  and  ye  shall  'receive,'  straightway  begins  a 
train  of  experiences,  leading  us  down  full  low  and  often, 
that  by  searching  through  the  earthiness  of  mortality, 
in  contact  with  souls  who  become  our  teachers,  though 
unstamped  are  their  brows  with  the  mark  of  our  soul's 
delight,  congeniality,  sympathy,  attraction. 

"By  conception,  through  gestation,  unto  travail  in 
fulfillment  of  time,  are  our  children  born  of  the  fleshly 
shape,  and  biding  it  seems  by  a  kindred  law,  must  all 
the  wisdom  or  knowledge  children,  be  gradually 
brought  into  actual  life,  through  conceptive  conditions 
and  after-growth,  to  and  through  a  realizing  sense  of 
the  cause  up  to  the  effect,  or  knowledge  sought. 

"And  yet,  though  the  cost  be  great  labor,  pain  and 
mental  anguish,  who  would  shrink  to  pass  the  ordeal, 
when  another  child  of  knowledge  is  to  become  our 
possession;  our's  of  a  surety,  which  no  man  may  claim 
away  from  us,  and  bringing  its  consequent  great  joy 
of  another  question,  another  problem,  solved,  ready  to 
begin  another,  and  then  another  still. 

"And  revealment,  is  it  not  ever  ours,  when  growth  of 


OUR   MABEL.  177 

heart  and  growth  of  mind  conjoin  in  search  of  nature's 
plan,  and  shall  we  not  find  that  mystery  is  but  another 
name  for  laws  misunderstood,  or  unrecognized  ?  Thus 
it  appears  to  the  shortened  vision  of  my  innermost 
thought,  and  so  I  feel  impelled  to  study  life  in  its 
multitudinous  forms,  within  this  view  of  the  Creator 
and  His  creations,  and  may  God  give  admittance  to 
my  knocking,  and  seeking,  and  asking,  that  it  may  be 
opened,  that  I  shall  find  and  then  receive  some  clew  to 
the  harmonies  of  life,  as  issuing  from  Himself,  the; 
maker." 

♦  *"*_"*** 

"  Strive  to  enter  at  the  straight  gate,  for  narrow  is 
the  way  and  straight  the  gate  that  leads  to  life  eternal, 
but  broad  is  the  way  that  leadeth  down  to  destruction." 

A   THOUGHT. 

"  Narrow,  and  guarded  by  outposts  and  sentinels,  at 
every  turn  from  the  road  which  righteousness  has 
appointed  for  man  to  walk  within.  If  the  sentries  are 
wreak,  or  sleeping  at  their  posts,  presenting  not  their 
arms  at  the  proper  time,  then  will  the  soul  turn  ofttimes 
aside,  to  retrace  with  bitterness,  and  sorrow,  and  wearied 
feet,  the  steps  which  took  it  astray;  but  if  watchful, 
every  sentinel  will  sternly  'present  arms'  and  forbid 
the  deviation  into  avenues  which  the  traveller  contin- 
ually encounters  of  impatience,  faithlessness,  suspicion, 
anger,  hatred,  conceit,  selfishness,  unkind  judgments, 
censoriousness,  deceit,  and  many  other  tempting  path- 
ways for  human  souls." 

our  mabel  to  may  carleton. 
"Dear  May: — 

"These  extracts   from   uncle's   book    speak   for 
themselves,  do  they  not?  and  give  us  an  insight  to  the 


178  OUR   MABEL. 

principles  and  motives  upon  which  he  strove  to  base 
his  life  and  actions,  and  how  well  did  they  serve  him 
in  his  humanitarian  life  and  influence;  bringing  him 
into  closer  rapport  with  the  hearts  and  lives  and 
motives  of  the  human  beings  by  whom  he  was  sur- 
rounded or  brought  into  contact. 

"How  many  to-day  are  blessing  his  name,  and  are 
thankful  that  he  has  lived.  Oh!  May,  how  I  do  wish 
I  might  honor  his  dear  life  with  its  high  purpose,  by 
promulgating  and  living  purely  by  the  principles  he 
instilled  by  his  own  example. 

"How  comes  it  that  we  so  constantly  switch  off  from 
the  plainly  marked  pathway  before  us,  which  earnest 
desire  has  paved  and  pointed  to  as  the  right  way, 
though  the  'narrow  way.' 

"That  right  in  the  face  of  our  settled  purpose,  fresh 
and  present  within  our  hearts,  we  yet  speak  some 
word,  do  some  action,  look  some  look,  diametrically 
opposite  in  its  effect,  from  what  we  most  long  to 
express,  or  in  some  silence  where  no  word  will  come 
to  our  assistance,  let  that  pass  which  we  feel  ought 
to  be  made  use  of. 

"This  is  a  problem  to  me,  for  ail  these  things  cover 
up  one's  true  and  earnest  intention,  and  make  us 
apparently  guilty  of  other  thoughts  and  meanings, 
unless  the  strength  of  desire  and  feeling  impresses 
itself  above  and  beyond  the  exclamation  points,  or  the 
silence  of  a  purely  circumstantial  evidence. 

"I  sometimes  think  this  may  be  so.  I  hope  it  is, 
and  that  these  expressions,  and  the  failure  of  those 


OUR    MABEL.  179 

we  wish  to  voice,  are  but  the  flashings  of  some  reveal- 
ment  of  nature,  and  truths  which  are  glimpsed  to  us 
as  fresh  food  for  thought,  a  new  aspect  of  life's  unfold - 
ment  as  connected  with  varying  individualities,  perhaps 
as  a  return  for,  or  answer  to  the  thought  or  words  we 
send  out. 

"If  our  true  intentions  and  desires  for  our  fellow 
beings  miscarry,  through  our  imperfections,  may  we 
not  hope  that  the  thought  and  intention  of  love  is 
recognized  by  God  and  passed  to  our  credit,  even  while 
He  may  smile  at  the  infautileefForts  of  His,  as  yet, 
untutored  children? 

"  Well,  May,  we  will  strive  for  the  best  things  in  our 
hearts  and  lives,  won't  we!  However  far  we  fall  short 
of  a  perfect  expression,  trusting  the  future  to  enlarge 
our  understanding  and  imbue  us  with  more  of  that 

wisdom,  which  is  love. 

Yours,  as  ever, 

Mabel." 

Extract: — 

"March  15,  18—. 

"  Written  under  impatience  of  some  delay. 

"  The  way  for  a  day  seems  cloudy,  but  only,  I  suppose, 
"because  my  waiting,  anxious  spirit  ill  brooks  the 
necessary  delay,  for  it  must  be  at  work,  and  compelled 
passivity  from  inaction,  wearies  as  the  efforts  of  a  caged 
bird  to  escape  confinement;  this  in  face  of  my  reason- 
ing, which  tells  me  that  these  moments  are  fraught 
with  lessons  as  much  needed  as  any  others. 

"  This  halting;  may  it  not  cause  the  mind  to  look 
deeper  still  into  causes  and  forward  to  their  results,  to 
analyze  the  soul's  proclivities  with  its  powers  and 
aims? 


180  OUR    MABEL. 

"But  the  soul,  does  it  cease  to  expand  and  perceive 
when  it  must,  as  it  were,  stand  still?  Or,  is  it  but 
preparing  for  a  flight  to  another  branch  on  life's  great 
tree,  there  again  to  halt,  to  look  about,  and  prepare 
for  a  flitting  to  another  just  beyond?" 

•'  So  I  suppose  that  no  work,  no  waiting,  is  lost  to  the 
soul,  but  that  it  drinks  from  every  fount,  culls  from 
every  flower,  and  bathes  in  every  sunbeam,  nor  is  ever 
lost  beneath  earth's  deepest  clouds,  wmose  faith  can 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  "  silver  linings  "  that  shine  out 
cheerily  upon  a  sobbing  world  of  blinded  hearts,  wdiose 
inherent  powers,  through  ignorance  and  false  condi- 
tions to  their  development,  are  all  but  swept  away  by 
the  seeming  ills  of  cloud  and  storm. 

"No,  I  must  believe  that  these  quiet  places,  of 
seeming  inactivity,  are  but  the  resting  places  where  the 
soul  digests  not  only  the  experiences  of  its  past,  but 
is  girding  up  its  loins  for  the  next  step  forward,  when 
with  renewed  vigor  and  vitality,  it  resumes  its  onward 
path  of  life." 

*  ■*  #  *  ■* 

Again —  "June  3,  18 — 

"  Flowing  from  the  eternal  source,  through  avenues 
of  countless  number,  comes  the  divine  idea  and  will,  to 
waiting,  pleading  souls,  whose  brows  upturned,  send 
out  their  cry  for  light,  more  light,  that  they  may  bask 
in  its  cheering  and  life-giving  influence,  and  their  eyes 
be  made  to  see  and  comprehend  the  mysteries  of  exis- 
tence. 

"  Mystery  when  viewed  as  a  whole,  and  by  partial 
eyes,  but  viewed  by  God  and  learned  of  by  man,  as  to 
secret  causes,  and  of  their  unfailing  results,  no  mys- 
tery lies  concealed  in  Nature's  lap. 

"  To  the  blinding  ignorance  of  man  alone,  secret,  hid- 
den, for  she  seeks  not  to  conceal  but  to  reveal,  and  wooes 


OUR   MABEL.  181 

in  every  possible  manner,  man  to  stop  and  consider, 
to  look  deeper  and  longer,  that  he  may  understand  the 
simplicity  of  her  ways  and  means,  and  note  the 
beautiful  flowering  results  of  everlasting  causes. 

u  Causes  which  man  may  reap  a  knowledge  of,  if  he 
will,  and  trace  to  their  legitimate  results  as  certainly 
as  to  the  sum  of  any  mathematical  problem,  which  in 
numerical  science  is  obtained. 

"  But  these  things,  this  knowledge  of  Nature's  secrets 
and  design,  though  not  intended  to  be  secreted  from 
the  mankind  who  seek,  and  work  to  obtain  her  in- 
structions, comes  only  to  those  who  love  her  well,  and 
all  the  children  of  her  bosom  who  claim  a  kinship  to  all 
the  creations  to  which  she  has  given  birth. 

Then  gladly  does  she  point  the  way  to  every  intri- 
cate path,  and  show  the  foot-prints  so  beautifully 
pressed,  and  kept  by  the  divinities  ol  life,  beneath  the 
overhanging  shadows  of  the  weeds  along  their  way, 
which  have  overlooked  the  angel  footprints,  and  soared 
to  overlap  and  clasp  their  hands  above  them,  all  un- 
conscious of  the  lowly  tracks  beneath,  that  send  out  no 
call  to  any  but  the  humble  followers  who  search  in 
nature's  by-ways,  for  the  simple  and  direct  leadings  to 
her  unbosoming  gifts  and  love." 

•x-  y  x  •*  ■*  -x-  * 

And  again, — 

"  They  wish  for  the  'innocence  of  a  child, '  but  no, 
give  me  rather  that  innocence  which  is  born  of  knowl- 
edge, than  the  innocence  of  a  child  through  its  igno- 
rance." 

Again — 

"Such  a  problem  is  life!  and  there  appears  to  be  no 
solution,  when,  as  often  and  over  again  we  seem  to 
have  attained  its  sum,  some  fraction  looms  up  to  spoil 
the  result,  compelling  us  to  begin  anew." 

•*  *  '  *  *  *  * 


182  OUR   MABEL. 

Another, — 

"  I  have  been  thinking  of  the  story  of  the  life  of 
Jesus,  very  much  of  late,  and  as  I  think,  it  takes  on  a 
new  meaning  in  its  application  to  individuals. 

"  1  picture  Him,  though  in  a  lowly  garb,  a  very  Prince 
in  mien,  as  He  walks  the  earth  with  a  tread,  gentle  as 
firm;  as  if  the  very  ground  beneath  His  feet  had  a 
claim  upon  His  heart  for  kindly  treatment. 

"  And  how  they  of  likewise  lowly  life  were  attracted 
to  Him,  and  felt  like  worshiping,  as  He  expressed  the 
divinity  within  Him  in  familiar  words  and  similies,  so 
free  from  selfish  word  or  thought;  they  who  could 
appreciate,  because  not  puffed  up  with  the  vanities  of 
riches,  or  position,  who  had  no  hope  or  prospect  for 
such,  and  therefore  free  from  the  ambition  and  labor 
to  attain  them,  but  free  also  to  drink  from  the  fount 
of  His  inspiration,  and  become  themselves  inspired,, 
and  imbued  with  the  teachings  of  love,  He  Himself  re- 
ceived from  His  Father  above. 

"  I  see  Him  in  the  sorrow  of  His  sensitive  heart,  and 
His  followers  in  their  surprise  and  wonderment  at  the 
accusations  of  those  in  power,  that  they  have  not  per- 
ceived, and  accepted  the  truths  their  Jesus  taught  as 
most  divine. 

"And  the  temptation  to  some  of  His  weaker- 
followers  to  half  turn  back  when  unpopularity  became 
too  searching. 

"  All  this,  and  more,  does  the  picture  set  forth,  but 
the  one  idea  that  seems  to  predominate  in  my  medita- 
tion, is  the  thought  that  only  those  who  had  learned  to 
love  well  the  man,  as  well  as  His  teachings,  clung  to 
Him  in  His  hour  of  trial,  wept  and  deeply  mourned 
when  He  was  taken  from  their  sight,  never  again  to 
mingle  in  family  circles,  a  sympathizer  in  affliction 
and  trouble,  and  as  a  teacher  of  their  deep  signifi- 
cance. 


OUR    MABEL.  183 

"  Hearts  that  clung  to  Him  as  to  a  brother  dearly 
loved,  as  parent,  lover  and  intimate  friend;  for  must 
we  not  suppose  that  those  whose  lives  daily  crossed 
His  own,  gave  unto  Him  the  best  they  had  to  give, 
from  the  child's  little  heart  of  love,  as  to  a  parent;  of 
brothers  and  sisters  as  to  a  favorite  brother,  and  some 
maiden  hearts  their  ideal  trust  ? 

"Thus  Jesus'  trials  and  latest  sufferings,  came  home 
to  each  with  appalling  force,  and  continued  to  impress 
their  lives,  as  memory  kept  them  fresh  with  her  back- 
ward pointing  linger  to  some  remembered  word  or 
act,  some  tone  or  touch,  subduing  their  worldly 
thoughts  and  affections,  and  sending  inward  their 
meditations,  to  resolve  upon  a  higher'life,  to  such  as 
He  had  pointed  and  lived  the  way,  with  an  intuitional 
hope,  and  trust,  and  belief,  that  in  the  Great  Beyond 
somewhere,  wrongs  would  be  righted,  and  sorrow  glo- 
rified into  a  transfiguration  of  an  eternal  crown  of 
happiness,  whose  jewels  should  be  Eest,  Peace,  Har- 
mony, Love,  and  everlasting  unity  of  loved  ones. 

"  Those  who  knew  Him  well  in  the  form  of  man,  thus 
loved  and  greived,  and  remembered  with  an  unction 
that  led  to  purer  living.  Those  who  to-day  are  of 
gentle  heart  and  loving  mind,  with  the  strength  of  a 
divine  fervor,  can  read  and  re-read  the  story  of  their 
Jesus,  and  so  personify  Him  to  their  thought  and 
affection,  as  to  have  the  same  beautiful  effect  on  their 
daily  lives,  as  result  of  His  pure  and  heavenly  teach- 
ings. 

"But  comparatively  few  have  ever  heard  the  story  of 
His  life,and  fewer  still  are  those  who  ftit  k' at  the  feet  of 
Jesus  "  to  learn  o^  Him,  and  have  received  the  Com- 
forter since  He  became  their  Saviour. 

"  Those  who  have  not  heard,  and  they  who  do  not 
heed  the  voice  of  a  Christ,  it  seems  to  me,  must  have 


184  OUR   MABEL. 

a  Saviour  somewhere,  in  some  way,  and  that  he  comes 
straight  from  the  bosom  of  God's  unending  lore,  to 
save  the  souls  that  else  would  not  know  of  Him. 

"  Thus  the  early  grief  that  comes  to  some  maiden 
heart,  when  the  idol  of  her  young  womanhood  has  been 
snatched  from  her  arms;  when  the  first  born,  just 
blooming  into  smiles  of  a  sweet  recognition,  sleeps  to 
wake  no  more  to  human  sight.  When  the  daily 
companion  of  a  life  in  whom  all  trust  and  deepest 
love  reposed,  is  called  to  '  go  hence, '  leaving  but  the 
cold  ashes  of  despair  on  the  hearthstone  of  the  once 
cheerful  and  unbroken  home. 

"Or,  worse  still,  the  forced  contemplation  of  agonies 
and  tortures  of  some  loved  mortal,  as  he  is  broken  and 
bent,  beaten  and  bruised,  by  the  evil  spirits  that  have 
entered  into  him,  and  who  will  not  be  gone  until 
every  passion  becomes  satiated,  and  the  weakness  of 
death  is  upon  their  victim. 

"  These,  these  are  the  saviours  of  great  numbers  of 
mankind,  over  whose  tombs  we  take  our  steps  heaven- 
ward, through  the  memories  of  tone,  touch,  and  speech, 
of  the  sufferings,  and  often  unt  Id  sorrows  that  went 
out  with  them  into  an  eternity  that  our  human  hands 
strive  vainly  to  reach,  and  our  human  eyes,  blinded  by 
seeking  their  vision  through  the  veil  that  has  fallen. 

"Then  it  is,  that  instinctively  the  soul  retreats  to  its 
inner  sanctuary,  to  communicate  its  sorrow  as  to  a 
friend  that  might  dwell  there;  in  time  there  comes 
from  the  most  interior  shrine  of  this  sanctuary  the 
words  of  a  sibyl  ('the  still  small  voice')  who  has 
chosen  this  solitary  abode  from  whence  to  plead  with 
heaven  for  knowledge,  to  impart  as  answer  to  the 
human  prayer,  a  prophetess  that  never  errs,  for  her 
solitude  from  the  haunts  of  men,  keeps  her  vision 
clear,  and  speech  unclouded. 


OUR    MABEL.  185 

"  Dear  Sibyl  of  my  heart, 

Lead  thou  my  struggling-  soul, 
Nor  let  the  ways  of  art 

Delay  me  from  the  goal, 
Neither  by  discontent 

Or  clogging  earthly  ways, 
Whose  breath  must  e'er  betray 

Into  temptations  dire, 
The  soul  that  tastes  desire. 

But  ever  let  me  be 
Uncovered  to  your  gaze, 

That  list'ning  unto  thee, 
For  thy  'small  voice '  and  true, 

My  soul  be  e'er  intent, 

As  from  a  prophet  sent, 
To  grasp  new  truth  and  old, 
And  come  within  the  fold 

Of  God,  through  thy  voice  lent." 

The  foregoing  are  some  of  the  extracts  that  Mabel 
sent  to  May  Carle  ton,  from  out  Mr.  Tremaine's  jour- 
nals, yet  much  there  was  that  she  could  not  pen  for  even 
the  eyes  of  the  gentle  May,  and  which  to  herself  was  a 
new  revelation  of  the  abiding  sorrow  of  her  uncle's 
days,  and  of  his  fierce  struggle  to  keep  before  him  in 
active  principle,  the  true  motive  of  his  life,  when 
pains  weakened,  sensibilities  were  stung,  and  misunder- 
standings lashed  him  into  strong  temptation  to  with- 
hold himself  from  knowledge  of  the  wrongs  of  the 
world  about  him,  to  suffer  less  in  consequence,  and 
give  up  the  unequal  strife,  in  desire  to  right  them. 

The  passages  of  self-rebuke,  and  those  of  self-encour- 
agement, were  strong  in  their  censure  and  appeal 

Thus,  in  secret  communion  of  soul,  did  the  good 


186  OUK    MABEL. 

man  gird  up  his  loins  for  the  daily  battle  of  life,  to 
attack  and  hold  the  fort  of  Duty,  against  the  odds  of 
pressure  from  the  foe  without. 

And  so  we  must  leave  him,  his  life,  his  works,  and 
these  words  he  left  behind,  to  fall  as  good  seeds  upon 
the  ground  he  tended  with  love,  and  watered  with 
tears,  or  as  unfruitful,  because  unsuited  to  the  soil  he 
tilled. 

He  was  not  allowed  to  gather  in  the  sheaves,  to 
measure  the  grain,  or  to  know  for  what  his  labor  had 
been  expended;  all  that  he  could  realize,  was  the  heat 
and  sweat  of  his  toil,  the  weariness  of  fatigue,  and 
languishment  of  unfulfilled  desire.  The  day  was. 
spent,  the  sun  gone  down  when  no  man  can  work,  and 
he  must  be  gathered  to  his  fathers.  Commending 
himself  to  the  watchful  care  of  his  heavenly  Father, 
until  the  night  of  death  be  overpast,  and  resting  his 
weary  head  upon  His  Almighty  bosom,  he  falls  asleep 
to  awaken  upon  a  more  beautiful  day,  to  find  rest  in 
labor,  requi  tings  to  love,  and  a  divine  peace  and  har- 
mony in  all  the  voices  of  the  Universe,  whose  discords 
apparent,  are  more  heard  on  earth,  because  its  mortals 
have  ears  as  yet  unattuned  to  the  orchestral  harmony 
of  God's  myriad  worlds,  while  they  carry  the  minor 
scales  of  life. 

Can  we  not,  almost,  lift  the  veil  behind  which  so 
earnest  and  true  a  soul  has  vanished,  and  see  the  bright 
aura  that  his  grand  aspirations,  and  love  almost  divine, 
has  wrought  for  his  brow,  and  behold  the  ineffable 
glory  that  beams  from  his  countenance,  as  his  soul 


OUR   MABEL.  187 

drinks  in  the  wonderful  comprehension  and  exceeding 
beauty  of  the  eternal  law,  and  order,  sustained  by  the 
everlasting  cause  and  power,  GOD  % 

We  see  that  peace  is  setting  to  his  soul  like  a  dove, 
and  being  clothed  upon  with  a  perfect  trust,  makes 
ready  for  the  new  experiences  which  await  him  in  the 
avenues  now  opening,  that  his  spirit  hath  so  longed 
to  tread. 

Rejoicings  only  can  we  send  out  after  him,  though 
he  is  passing  farther  from  our  gaze,  for  we  know  what 
joy  in  life  must  be  opening  up  to  him,  who  so  thirsted 
for  truth,  and  hungered  for  knowledge. 


CHAFTEK  XXV. 


FAREWELL    TO    OUK   FEIENDS. 


None  so  missed  Mr.  Tremaine  in  Homer,  as  Mr. 
Osgood,  to  whom  he  had  been  not  only  a  friend,  but 
an  adviser  and  co-worker  in  many  things  pertaining 
to  private  and  public  interests;  now  he  must  walk 
alone  amid  his  cares,  which  grew  and  increased  upon 
him,  yet  he  secretly  clad  himself  in  the  armor  of  a 
determination  to  follow,  as  closely  as,possible,  the  foot- 
steps of  his  friend,  and  hoped  to  cany  out  to  fruition 
Mr.  Tremaine's  plans  for  the  people  for  which  he  had 
so  generously  provided. 

A  new  life  had  been  creeping  upon  this  aging  couple 
— the  Osgoods — through  the  fears,  hopes  and  tears  of 
the  passing  years.  The  husband  found  in  his  wife 
the  comfort  and  solace  so  necessary  to  him  now,  and 
Mrs.  Osgood,  whose  spirit  had  assumed  its  native 
quietness,  since  the  "  skeleton  of  their  closet"  had 
walked  forth  and  clothed  itself  with  the  habiliaments 
of  flesh  and  blood,  found  a  pleasure,  deeper  than  ever 
before,  in  the  untiring  love  and  implicit  trust  of  her 
husband,  making  at  times,  her  gift  of  intuition  almost 
prophetic  in  his  interest.  Hand  in  hand  they  now  go 
down  the  hillside  of  life,  and  the  way  seems  less  diffi- 
cult, and  with  fewer  obstructions,  while  it  appears  to 
grow  much  shorter. 


OUR    MABEL.  189 

Many  an  hour  of  the  evening  twilight  they  spend  in 
contemplation  of  the  rest  which  is  waiting  for  them  in 
the  valley  below,  where  runs  the  crystal  river  on  whose 
bosom  they  will  set  sail  and  cross  to  the  farther  shore, 
to  take  possession  of  the  home  there  prepared, — their 
"  mansion  not  built  by  hands  "  or  fashioned  by  archi- 
tect, but  with  the  substance  of  their  shadows,  the  real 
of  their  ideal,  the  actual  matter  of  their  thoughts, 
prayers  and  desires,  out  of  which  God  Himself  dotlv 

fashion  it. 

****** 

Transformed  is  the  city  palace  of  Jennie  in  its  in. 
ward  part;  externally  it  is  the  same,  and  none  but  the 
spiritual  eye  could  penetrate  the  walls  to  know  the 
mighty  change  within. 

To  see  the  pale,  saddened,  almost  lifeless  and  aimless 
woman  of  two  years  ago,  now  in  rosy  health,  tluv 
laughing  happy  mother,  the  loved  and  idolizing  wife,, 
and  cheery  mistress  of  the  serving  household.  To 
witness  the  romping  gaieties  of  the  children  with 
their  occasional  bursts  of  loving  tenderness,  as  they 
run  to  mamma  for  the  frequent  kiss,  or  to  obey  her 
slightest  call. 

The  beautiful  meeting  of  papa,  and  struggle  for  the 
first  embrace,  as  he  enters  his  home  after  the  business 
of  the  day,  and  the  tender  tones  of  welcome  from 
"  my  bright-eyed  Jennie." 

And  above  all,  the  delightful  evenings  at  home, 
where  the  father  and  husband  chooses  to  stay,  in  the 
face  of  enticing  persuasions  without,  and  revel  in  this 
heaven  of  his  own. 


190  OTJR   MABEL. 

How  sweet  the  music  Jennie  makes,  how  lovely  the 
flowers  her  hand  has  so  tastefully  arranged,  how  cheer- 
ful the  parlors,  aglow  with  warmth  and  light,  and  how 
thoroughly  comfortable  the  easy-chair  the  loving 
thought  of  the  wife  had  ordered  hither  for  his  use. 

As  a  dream,  delicious,  as  a  reality,  it  is  heavenly. 
■st  *  *  *  *  * 

Mabels's  life  problem  is  not  yet  solved,  nor  will  it 
be,  until  the  hand  of  death  closes  the  door  behind 
her. 

We  find  her  still  at  work  grappling  with  ideas,  and 
seeking  solutions  which  her  soul  feels  are  in  existence, 
and  at  her  command,  when  she  may  have  found  the 
key. 

She  drinks  deeply  of  home  joys,  and  were  self  alone 
considered,  would  gladly  censecrate  herself  solely  to 
them,  but  something  within  the  shrine  of  her  being 
compels  to  a  constant  study  of  human  life  in  its  every 
phase,  so  far  as  she  can  comj^ass  it,  keeping  her 
always  in  position  of  strong  desire  to  aid  or  strengthen, 
soothe  or  guide  the  helpless  or  weak,  the  suffering  or 
misguided,  who  come  within  her  reach. 

The  comfort  and  happiness  of  her  husband  and 
children  are  ever  her  first  consideration  and  duty,  as 
also  her  greatest  pleasure,  yet  she  finds  time  to  supply 
in  a  measure,  the  hunger  and  thirst  of  many  souls 
engaged  in  the  fierce  battle  of  life,  living  in  "  tents  of 
unrest,"  and  uncertain  movement,  with  no  cheery 
home  to  entice,  or  loving  arms  to  embiace  them,  with 
but  the  dreary  and  barren  earth  about,  so  far  as  sup- 


OUR   MABEL.  191 

plying  their  needs  are  concerned,  and  the  cold  though 
starry  sky  above  them,  too  distant  it  seems,  to  note 
"by  any  quiver,  the  sorrows  and  blightings  of  earth. 

But  this  seemingness  should  be  swept  away,  when 
such  as  "  Our  Mabel "  are  impressed  from  the 
skies  beyond,  to  take  up  the  mission  of  peace  and 
good  will,  of  help  and  encouragement,  and  to  become 
indeed,  one  of  God's  ministering  spirits  to  those  of 
the  "  earth  earthy"  who  else  would  never  lift  their  eyes 
above,  and  out  beyond  the  present  strife  and  scenes  of 
human  life. 

We  cannot  follow  Mabel  in  her  faithful  motherhood 
to  the  children  growing  up  about  her,  but  we  may  be 
sure  that  her  teachings  and  example  will  be,  as  now, 
of  the  most  exalted  kind;  and  Tom,  her  hushand,  will 
grow  no  less  desirous  to  set  before  his  children  a  true 
example,  than  when  in  their  infant  days  he  so  felt  the 
new  responsibility  that  God  had  placed  upon  him. 
He  will  confer  with  the  wife  he  so  tenderly  loves,  and 
together  they  will  work  for  the  truest  needs  of  their 
offspring,  while  they  seek  that  strength  which  never 
fails,  and  that  wisdom  which  is  promised  to  the 
seeker. 

When  two  hearts,  united  and  blended  into  one 
through  every  interest  and  claim  of  love,  thus  near 
the  throne  above  in  perfect  faith,  that  for  the  asking, 
they  shall  receive  both  strength  and  light  for  the 
duties  of  each  passing  day,  shall  we  not,  nay,  must  we 
not  believe,  that  the  promise  is  not  forgotten  of 
Heaven,   whose   son  proclaimed   that  where   two   or 


192  OUR   MABEL. 

three  are  gathered  together,  with  the  same  desire, 
asking  "whatsoever  they  will,  it  shall  be  given  unto 
them." 

To  the  integrity  of  their  loving  hearts  we  leave  them 
then  "  Our  Mabel  "  and  Tom  Joiner,  now  no  longer 
"odd,"  to  fulfil  the  purpose  of  treir  lives,  with  no 
fear  for  their  success,  so  far  as  in  them  lies,  for  they 
trust  in  God,  and  will  learn  of  him  through  the  myri- 
ad ways  of  life. 

*  *  *  *  -H-  * 

Meanwhile  Dr.  Carleton  makes  his  daily  rounds 
among  the  patients  who  have  committed  themselves 
to  his  care,  while  they  have  learned  to  love  and  listen 
for  the  sound  of  his  coming  footsteps,  as  though  they 
brought  a  surety  to  their  hopje,  of  health  or  longer 
lease  of  life. 

And  a  tender  care  he  gives  to  his  dependent  charges, 
as  he  strives  to  minister  to  the  sometimes  sicker 
minds  than  bodies,  which  only  by  way  of  sympathy, 
give  warnings  of  the  deeper  pains  of  mind  and  heart. 

And  May,  did  she  linger  always  at  home  to  fondle 
and  teach  the  little  child  of  her  absorbing  love  ?  Nay, 
her  love  made  her  feel  more  keenly  for  the  little  ones 
who  lay  dying,  or  forsaken  by  hope,  or  suffering  tor- 
tures resultant  from  some  life's  mistake,  bearing  the 
cross  in  infancy,  for  other's  sins;  and  realize  the  agony 
wrung  from  mother  hearts,  whose  bosoms  feel  no  more 
the  clinging,  petting  fingers  of  baby  hands,  whose 
arms  and  laps  are  empty  of  the  little  forms  who 
claimed  their  protection  and  caressing  ease. 


OUR    MABEL.  193 

With  love's  gentleness  and  sympathy,  May  glides 
in  and  out  among  such  suffering  ones,  comforting  as 
best  she  can  each  aching  heart,  to  return  to  her  own 
home  nest,  and  its  cooing  dove,  with  redoubled  zeal 
for  its  well-being  in  every  sense,  and  a  broader  com- 
prehension of  what  her  duties  are,  conning  thus  her 
daily  page,  in  the  history  of  life.  That  the  earth  is 
not  barren  of  truth-seeking,  earnest  souls,  who  aim  to 
do  their  best  in  life  and  action,  while  striving  to  com- 
prehend the  grand  lesson  of  Charity,  taught  by  Jesus, 
which  in  the  daily  revealments  of  individual  life  is 
ever  new,  and  freshly  applicable,  let  us  dear  reader  be 
gladly  thankful. 

' '  God  of  the  granite  and  the  rose ! 

Soul  of  the  sparrow  and  the  bee! 
The  mighty  tide  of  being  flows 

Through  countless  channels,  Lord  from  Thee. 
It  leaps  to  life  in  grass  and  flowers, 

Through  every  grade  of  being  runs, 
Till  from  Creation's  radiant  towers 

Its  glory  flames  in  stars  and  suns.'' 

"  The  mighty  tide  of  Being  flows 

Through  all  thy  creatures  back  to  Thee, 

Thus  round  and  round  the  circle  runs — 
A  mighty  sea  without  a  shore — 

While  men  and  angels,  stars  and  suns, 
Unite  to  praise  Thee  evermore!'' 


THE  END. 


L  iv.ason,    Mrs 

.    R*Rt 

ou 

Our  hia.be 

\      -_. 

M204174 

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